10 Gbps wavelength division multiplexing using UV-A, UV-B and UV-C micro-LEDs

Deep ultraviolet (DUV) optical wireless communications have seen increased interest in recent years due to the unique properties of light in this spectral region. However, the reported DUV data rates remain significantly lower than comparable demonstrations at visible wavelengths due to lower modulation bandwidths and/or output power of the sources. Here, we present a wavelength division multiplexing demonstration using three UV microlight-emitting diodes emitting at nominal peak wavelengths of 285, 317, and 375 nm, respectively, each with an emitting area of approximately 1369 μm ² (equivalent to circular device pixels of diameter ∼40 μm). Using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, data rates of 4.17, 3.02, and 3.13 Gbps were achieved from the 285, 317, and 375 nm devices, respectively, for a combined data rate of 10.32 Gbps transmitted over a distance of 0.5 m.