2  Gbps free-space ultraviolet-C communication based on a high-bandwidth micro-LED achieved with pre-equalization

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Optical Communications
• Semiconductor Devices

Background:

• Ultraviolet-C (UVC) light offers unique properties for sterilization and communication.
• Micro-light-emitting diodes (micro-LEDs) are emerging as efficient light sources.
• High-speed communication requires advanced light sources with broad bandwidth and high power.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally demonstrate high-speed ultraviolet-C (UVC) communication.
• To characterize the performance of a 276.8 nm UVC micro-LED for communication applications.
• To explore the potential of UVC micro-LEDs in achieving high data rates over various distances.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication and characterization of a 276.8 nm UVC micro-LED.
• Measurement of optical bandwidth and light output power.
• Implementation of a UVC communication link using 16-ary quadrature amplitude modulation orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and pre-equalization.

Main Results:

• A record optical bandwidth of 452.53 MHz was achieved.
• A light output power of 0.854 mW was obtained at a current density of 400 A/cm².
• A 2 Gbps data rate was achieved over 0.5 m, and 0.82 Gbps over 3 m.

Conclusions:

• The developed UVC micro-LED exhibits excellent performance for high-speed communication.
• Micro-LED technology holds significant promise for future UVC communication systems.
• The experimental results validate the potential of UVC micro-LEDs in advancing optical communication.