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Two-layer optical phased array with effective subwavelength pitch for grating-lobe-free beam steering
Optics Express
|February 20, 2026
Summary
We developed a compact two-layer optical phased array (OPA) using silicon photonics. This design enables wide-angle, low-sidelobe beam steering for applications like LiDAR and optical communications.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optical Engineering
- Integrated Optics
- Semiconductor Devices
Background:
- Optical phased arrays (OPAs) are crucial for beam steering applications.
- Traditional OPA designs face challenges with crosstalk and limited steering angles.
- Silicon photonics offers a scalable platform for integrated optical devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel compact two-layer OPA architecture on a Si/SiO2 platform.
- To achieve effective subwavelength pitch while suppressing inter-waveguide crosstalk.
- To enable wide-angle, low-sidelobe beam steering.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a two-layer OPA design with vertically staggered waveguides.
- Employed finite-difference eigenmode (FDE) simulations to analyze waveguide coupling.
- Used finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations for beam steering performance evaluation.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated negligible optical coupling between adjacent waveguides.
- Achieved sidelobe suppression below -17 dB.
- Confirmed a wide steering range approaching 100° via 80 nm wavelength tuning.
Conclusions:
- The proposed compact OPA architecture effectively suppresses crosstalk.
- This design enables wide-angle, low-sidelobe beam steering.
- The scalable Si/SiO2 platform is suitable for LiDAR, free-space optical communication, and advanced imaging.
