Two-dimensional integrated optical phased array with high fill-factor antennas

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Semiconductor Device Physics

Background:

• Optical phased arrays (OPAs) are crucial for beam steering and shaping.
• Silicon photonics offers a scalable platform for integrated optical devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally demonstrate a novel silicon photonics optical phased array.
• To optimize unitary antennas for efficient light emission across the array surface.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a two-dimensional matrix of antennas using silicon photonics.
• Optimization of individual antenna elements for enhanced light emission.
• Experimental characterization of the emitted beam properties.

Main Results:

• Achieved high fraction of emitted light over the overall array surface.
• Demonstrated a low divergence emitted beam with significant power fraction.
• Observed a trade-off between emission efficiency and beam steering range.

Conclusions:

• The demonstrated silicon photonics OPA design enables efficient beam formation.
• This device is well-suited for phase front correction in optical wireless communication systems.