 Optical fiber transmission uses wavelengths that are in

the near-infrared portion of the spectrum, just above the

visible, and thus undetectable to the unaided eye.

 Both lasers and LEDs are used to transmit light through

optical fiber.

 Lasers are usually used for 1310- or 1550-nm single-

mode
applications.

 LEDs are used for 850- or 1300-nm multimode applications.

Compound Semiconductors
•Compound semiconductors are elements of different group
from periodic table.
•Attractive feature of the binary compounds is that they can
be combined or alloyed to from ternary or
quaternary compounds
• By choosing different binary compounds, it is possible
to
select different bandgap.
Indium gallium arsenide InGaAs

Indium gallium phosphide InGaP

Aluminium gallium indium phosphide AlGaInP

Aluminium gallium arsenide phosphide AlGaAsP

 Transmission Media and Choice of Materials
• Most of the light sources contain III-V ternary &
quaternary compounds.
• Ga1 x Alx As by varying x it is possible to control the band-gap
energy and thereby the emission wavelength over the range of 800 nm
to 900 nm. The spectral width is around 20 to 40 nm.
• By changing 0<x<0.47; y is approximately 2.2x, the
In1 x Ga x As y P1 y
emission wavelength can be controlled over the range of 920 nm to
1600 nm. The spectral width varies from 70 nm to 180 nm when
the wavelength changes from 1300 nm to 1600 nm.