Abstract: Integrated Optical Phased Array device is a good potential solution for the solid-state LIDAR technology in the application of autonomous driving technique. However, some difficulties still limit the development of OPA devices, one of them is the conflict between the requirement of fewer units in the phase-tuning system and more elements in the emitting system. The present disclosure provides an approach of a Phase-Combining Waveguide Doubler (PCWD) to address this issue. This device can double the waveguide number without any phase mismatch. It enables the capability to control 2N?1 emitting elements with N phase shifters. The device is competitive to any grating coupler array based or end-fire based emitting method, which can potentially satisfy the requirement of a sub-wavelength pitch.

Abstract: Integrated Optical Phased Array device is a good potential solution for the solid-state LIDAR technology in the application of autonomous driving technique. However, some difficulties still limit the development of OPA devices, one of them is the conflict between the requirement of fewer units in the phase-tuning system and more elements in the emitting system. The present disclosure provides an approach of a Phase-Combining Waveguide Doubler (PCWD) to address this issue. This device can double the waveguide number without any phase mismatch. It enables the capability to control 2N?1 emitting elements with N phase shifters. The device is competitive to any grating coupler array based or end-fire based emitting method, which can potentially satisfy the requirement of a sub-wavelength pitch.

Abstract: Beam steering device such as optical phased array (OPA) is a key component in applications of solid-state LIDAR and wireless communication. The traditional single-layer OPA results in a significant energy loss due to the substrate leakage caused by the downward coupling from the grating coupler structure. In the present disclosure, we have investigated a structure based on multi-layers Si3N4/SiO2 platform that can form a 3D OPA to emit the light from the edge of the device with a high efficiency, a 2D converged out-coupling beam will be end-fired to the air. The high efficiency and wide horizontal beam steering are demonstrated numerically, the influence of vertical crosstalk, the delay length, number of waveguide layers, and the fabrication feasibility are also discussed.