We present high-performance integrated optical phased arrays along with first-of-their-kind light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and free-space data communication demonstrators. First, record-performance optical phased array components are shown with low-power phase shifters and high-directionality waveguide grating antennas. Then, one-dimensional (1-D) 512-element optical phased arrays are demonstrated with record low-power operation ( $ 1 mW total), large steering ranges, and high-speed two-dimensional (2-D) beam steering ( $ 30 $\mu$ s phase shifter time constant). Next, by utilizing optical phased arrays, we show coherent 2-D solid-state LiDAR on diffusive targets with simultaneous velocity extraction at a range of nearly 200 m. In addition, the first demonstration of 3-D coherent LiDAR with optical phased arrays is presented with raster-scanning arrays. Finally, lens-free chip-to-chip free-space optical communication links up to 50 m are shown, including a demonstration of a steerable transmitter to multiple optical phased array receivers at a 1 Gb/s data rate. This paper shows the most advanced silicon photonics solid-state beam steering to date with relevant demonstrators in practical applications.

Long-Range LiDAR and Free-Space Data Communication With High-Performance Optical Phased Arrays

Optical phased arrays are a promising beam-steering technology for ultra-small solid-state lidar and free-space communication systems. Long-range, high-performance arrays require a large beam emission area densely packed with thousands of actively phase-controlled, power-hungry light emitting elements. To date, such large-scale phased arrays have been impossible to realize since current demonstrated technologies would operate at untenable electrical power levels. Here we show a multi-pass photonic platform integrated into a large-scale phased array that lowers phase shifter power consumption by nearly 9 times. The multi-pass structure decreases the power consumption of a thermo-optic phase shifter to a ${{\rm P}_\pi }$Pπ of ${1.7}\;{\rm mW/}\pi $1.7mW/π without sacrificing speed or optical bandwidth. Using this platform, we demonstrate a silicon photonic phased array containing 512 actively controlled elements, consuming only 1.9 W of power while performing 2D beam steering over a ${70}^\circ \times {6}^\circ $70∘×6∘ field of view. Our results demonstrate a path forward to building scalable phased arrays containing thousands of active elements.

Large-scale optical phased array using a low-power multi-pass silicon photonic platform

Accurate three-dimensional (3D) imaging is essential for machines to map and interact with the physical world1,2 Although numerous 3D imaging technologies exist, each addressing niche applications with varying degrees of success, none has achieved the breadth of applicability and impact that digital image sensors have in the two-dimensional imaging world3–10 A large-scale two-dimensional array of coherent detector pixels operating as a light detection and ranging system could serve as a universal 3D imaging platform Such a system would offer high depth accuracy and immunity to interference from sunlight, as well as the ability to measure the velocity of moving objects directly11 Owing to difficulties in providing electrical and photonic connections to every pixel, previous systems have been restricted to fewer than 20 pixels12–15 Here we demonstrate the operation of a large-scale coherent detector array, consisting of 512 pixels, in a 3D imaging system Leveraging recent advances in the monolithic integration of photonic and electronic circuits, a dense array of optical heterodyne detectors is combined with an integrated electronic readout architecture, enabling straightforward scaling to arbitrarily large arrays Two-axis solid-state beam steering eliminates any trade-off between field of view and range Operating at the quantum noise limit16,17, our system achieves an accuracy of 31 millimetres at a distance of 75 metres when using only 4 milliwatts of light, an order of magnitude more accurate than existing solid-state systems at such ranges Future reductions of pixel size using state-of-the-art components could yield resolutions in excess of 20 megapixels for arrays the size of a consumer camera sensor This result paves the way for the development and proliferation of low-cost, compact and high-performance 3D imaging cameras that could be used in applications from robotics and autonomous navigation to augmented reality and healthcare A compact, high-performance silicon photonics-based light detection and ranging system for three-dimensional imaging is developed that should be amenable to low-cost mass manufacturing

A universal 3D imaging sensor on a silicon photonics platform

This paper aims to review the state of the art of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors for automotive applications, and particularly for automated vehicles, focusing on recent advances in the field of integrated LiDAR, and one of its key components: the Optical Phased Array (OPA). LiDAR is still a sensor that divides the automotive community, with several automotive companies investing in it, and some companies stating that LiDAR is a ‘useless appendix’. However, currently there is not a single sensor technology able to robustly and completely support automated navigation. Therefore, LiDAR, with its capability to map in 3 dimensions (3D) the vehicle surroundings, is a strong candidate to support Automated Vehicles (AVs). This manuscript highlights current AV sensor challenges, and it analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the perception sensor currently deployed. Then, the manuscript discusses the main LiDAR technologies emerging in automotive, and focuses on integrated LiDAR, challenges associated with light beam steering on a chip, the use of Optical Phased Arrays, finally discussing current factors hindering the affirmation of silicon photonics OPAs and their future research directions.

/pdf/a-review-and-perspective-on-optical-phased-array-for-c4jx3l99yk.pdf

A Review and Perspective on Optical Phased Array for Automotive LiDAR

Optical phased arrays (OPAs) implemented in integrated photonic circuits could enable a variety of 3D sensing, imaging, illumination, and ranging applications, and their convergence in new LIDAR technology. However, current integrated OPA approaches do not scale - in control complexity, power consumption, and optical efficiency - to the large aperture sizes needed to support medium to long range LIDAR. We present the serpentine optical phased array (SOPA), a new OPA concept that addresses these fundamental challenges and enables architectures that scale up to large apertures. The SOPA is based on a serially interconnected array of low-loss grating waveguides and supports fully passive, two-dimensional (2D) wavelength-controlled beam steering. A fundamentally space-efficient design that folds the feed network into the aperture also enables scalable tiling of SOPAs into large apertures with a high fill-factor. We experimentally demonstrate the first SOPA, using a 1450 - 1650 nm wavelength sweep to produce 16,500 addressable spots in a 27x610 array. We also demonstrate, for the first time, far-field interference of beams from two separate OPAs on a single silicon photonic chip, as an initial step towards long-range computational imaging LIDAR based on novel active aperture synthesis schemes.

Serpentine optical phased arrays for scalable integrated photonic LIDAR beam steering

A lens-free chip-to-chip free space optical communication link showing data transmission from a single transmitter to multiple receivers is demonstrated using steerable integrated silicon photonic optical phased arrays at a data rate of 1Gbps.

Free-space Communication Links with Transmitting and Receiving Integrated Optical Phased Arrays

We present recent advancements of optical phased array LiDAR with record-performance system demonstrations. First, we give an overview of the technology and how it combines the benefits of coherent LiDAR with the integration capabilities of silicon photonics. Then, an 8192-element optical phased array is shown with individually-addressed elements driven by custom CMOS electronics. This compact chip-scale beam-steering engine is enabled by flip-chip attached ASICs on the photonic integrated circuit. The optical phase shifters and emitters in the array have a 1<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu$</tex-math></inline-formula>m pitch to enable a <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$100^{\circ }\times 17^\circ$</tex-math></inline-formula> field of view. This unprecedented number of active elements forms a near centimeter-scale aperture. Next, a high-performance laser uniquely suited for optical phased array LiDAR is demonstrated. Due to the silicon photonics cavity, it simultaneously supports a large tuning range (60 nm), low linewidth (<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\sim$</tex-math></inline-formula>50 kHz), and fast linear chirp (1.3 GHz in 17.5 <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu$</tex-math></inline-formula>s). Finally, a solid-state coherent LiDAR system is realized with transmit/receive optical phased arrays coupled to an on-chip coherent receiver while being driven by the demonstrated laser. Ranging is shown on diffusive targets while simultaneously extracting velocity at each point in the point cloud. To the best of our knowledge, this single-unit compact system represents the state-of-the-art in optical phased array LiDAR technology.

Coherent LiDAR With an 8,192-Element Optical Phased Array and Driving Laser

We present a small-form-factor optical phased array module with a 512-element array, driving CMOS ASICs, and interfacing FPGA. This 80×40×20mm3 module enables unprecedented evaluation and adoption of optical phased array technology for custom applications. © 2019 The Author(s)

Murshed Khandaker

Papers

Long-Range LiDAR and Free-Space Data Communication With High-Performance Optical Phased Arrays

Free-space Communication Links with Transmitting and Receiving Integrated Optical Phased Arrays

Coherent LiDAR With an 8,192-Element Optical Phased Array and Driving Laser

Small-Form-Factor Optical Phased Array Module for Technology Adoption in Custom Applications