Ultralow power optical interconnect with zero-biased, ultralow threshold laser-how low a threshold is low enough?

Ultralow threshold (I/sub th/<100 μA) lasers can be used in ultralow power optical interconnect, preferably in a bias-free digital optical modulation format. We show that even though optical power requirements for successful transmission may dictate that the pulse drive current be many times that of I/sub th/, reducing the latter to 10-100 pA is still essential in minimizing the total driver power to the laser at multi-gigabit data rates.