Performance and reliability of a 10-Gbit/s optical receiver module using a novel plastic package

A low-cost 10-Gbit/s optical receiver module constructed using a novel plastic package and a simplified assembling technique was investigated. Passive alignment using a glass V-groove substrate and an edge-illuminated refracting-facet photodiode (RFPD) were employed to reduce cost and achieve high-speed operation. A Si-bipolar preamplifier IC was mounted on the package to reduce power consumption. High-speed signal lines with wide frequency bandwidth of more than 10 GHz on the package were realized using a three-dimensional electromagnetic field analysis. For receiver operations, a 3-dB detection bandwidth of 7.7 GHz and sensitivity of less than -14 dBm at 10 Gbit/s were achieved. To clarify the reliability of the fabricated module, high-humidity (damp-heat) and temperature-cycling tests were performed. For these tests, a RFPD, a preamplifier IC, and a fiber on a glass V-groove substrate were covered with a silicone resin. During both tests, stable operations of the modules, variation of responsivity of less than 1 dB and dark current of less than 200 nA, were confirmed.