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Non-uniform distributed silicon optical phased array for high directionality and a wide steering range.
Applied Optics
|March 4, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a novel silicon optical phased array (OPA) for efficient beam steering. The non-uniform design achieves high directionality and a wide steering range, crucial for advanced optical systems.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optical Engineering
- Integrated Optics
- Antenna Design
Background:
- Optical phased arrays (OPAs) are essential for beam steering applications.
- Existing OPA designs face challenges with directionality, divergence, and steering range.
- Silicon photonics offers a platform for miniaturized and integrated optical devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate a non-uniform distributed silicon optical phased array (OPA) for enhanced beam steering.
- To achieve high directionality and a wide steering range using a novel OPA design.
- To optimize antenna placement for reduced crosstalk and improved performance.
Main Methods:
- Design of an OPA using grating antennas with dual-layer corrugations in silicon strip waveguides.
- Utilizing an improved genetic algorithm for non-uniform antenna placement to minimize crosstalk.
- Numerical simulation and optimization of a 32-channel non-uniform OPA design.
Main Results:
- Achieved high directionality (0.96) and a small divergence angle (0.084°).
- Demonstrated a two-dimensional wide steering range of 70° × 18.7°.
- Obtained a side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) exceeding 10 dB, confirming signal purity.
Conclusions:
- The proposed non-uniform silicon OPA design effectively enhances beam steering capabilities.
- The optimized antenna distribution successfully mitigates crosstalk and broadens the steering range.
- This work presents a promising approach for high-performance optical beam steering in integrated photonic systems.
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