Hybrid algorithm for initial phase calibration of optical phased array

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Technology
• Adaptive Optics

Background:

• Phase noise significantly limits laser coherence and beam scanning accuracy in optical phased arrays (OPAs).
• Current adaptive optics methods for phase noise mitigation suffer from slow convergence and local optima due to OPA complexity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a faster and more robust calibration method for optical phased arrays (OPAs).
• To overcome the limitations of traditional adaptive optics in mitigating phase noise for improved beam quality.

Main Methods:

• A novel narrowing search range algorithm was developed to efficiently reduce phase noise.
• The proposed algorithm was combined with the stochastic parallel gradient descent (SPGD) algorithm for initial optimization.
• Simulations and experimental validations were performed using OPAs with varying array elements.

Main Results:

• The hybrid algorithm significantly expedited the OPA calibration process compared to existing methods.
• The method demonstrated effective phase noise reduction, enhancing laser coherence and beam scanning accuracy.
• The algorithm requires simple experimental equipment for implementation.

Conclusions:

• The proposed hybrid algorithm offers a rapid and effective solution for phase noise calibration in OPAs.
• This approach enhances OPA performance for applications requiring high laser coherence and precise beam control.
• The method's simplicity and broad applicability make it suitable for various experimental setups.