Off-chip beam steering with a one-dimensional optical phased array on silicon-on-insulator
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Characterization of SiN Integrated Optical Phased Arrays on a Wafer-Scale Test Station
Published on: April 1, 2020
Karel Van Acoleyen1, Wim Bogaerts, Jana Jágerská
1Photonics Research Group, Ghent University-Interuniversity MicroElectronics Center, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. karel.vanacoleyen@intec.ugent.be
Abstract:
Optical phased arrays are versatile components enabling rapid and precise beam steering. An integrated approach is followed in which a 1D optical phased array is fabricated on silicon-on-insulator. The optical phased array consists of 16 parallel grating couplers spaced 2 mum apart. Steering in one direction is done thermo-optically by means of a titanium electrode on top of the structure using the phased array principle, while steering in the other direction is accomplished by wavelength tuning. At a wavelength of 1550 nm, continuous thermo-optical steering of 2.3 degrees and wavelength steering of 14.1 degrees is reported.
Related Concept Videos
Insulation Coordination
Conductors and Insulators
Most metals are conductors. Their atomic configuration is such that one or more electron(s) are loosely bound to the nucleus in each atom. Thus, a sea of mobile electrons are available in them, known as free electrons. Their easy...
Thermal Insulation in Masonry Walls
External insulation can be applied using an Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS), which involves affixing panels of plastic foam to the wall and covering them with a polymeric stucco reinforced with glass fiber mesh....
Beams
Based on geometry, beams can be straight, tapered, or curved. Straight beams are the most common type and have a constant cross-section throughout their length. Tapered beams, on the other hand, have a varying cross-section along...
Phase Diagrams
Deflection of a Beam
Singularity functions, described in an earlier lesson, are powerful mathematical tools that represent discontinuities within a function commonly encountered in structural loading...

