High Speed Dual-Band Photodetector for Dual-Channel Optical Communications in Wavelength Division Multiplexing and Security Enhancement

The forthcoming wireless networks must integrate to a high density of end-user devices while ensuring a superior quality of service. It is imperative to devise solutions that reduce the density of wireless access points and associated costs, while simultaneously ensuring security and privacy throughout propagation. Herein, a novel dual-band photodetector with high selective responsivities in distinct visible and near-infrared (NIR) band is developed as an optical signal receiver. The receiver has an unprecedented fast switch speed > 500 kHz between different operation modes. Leveraging this fast switch speed, a high-speed Multiple-Input-Single-Output (MISO) system is developed, fusing spectrum resources from visible to infrared bands. The system achieves a data rate of 600 Kbps in the visible channel and 500 Kbps in the NIR channel, with a sum rate of 1.1 Mbps. This is the highest single-channel data rate and sum rate among reported dual-band photodetectors. Additionally, two previously overlooked mechanisms, the Subtraction and Addition modes, are studied in detail. The four operation modes are developed to establish a novel physical encryption method in terms of arithmetic relation. The dual-channel coupled link can support a data rate of 200 Kbps, significantly enhancing communication security.