Chip-scale two-dimensional optical phased array with simplified controls

Abstract

A device includes a waveguide grating out-coupler, and a tunable uniform phase shifter communicating with the waveguide grating out-coupler. The tunable uniform phase shifter steers a Hat phase front along a first angle in a first plane. Optionally, the waveguide grating out-coupler includes a modulated refractive index and a physical grating period. The tunable uniform phase shifter controls the refractive index, thereby controlling an effective grating period. The grating period relates to die modulated refractive index, and the physical grating period. Optionally, the tunable uniform phase shifter includes a first thermo-optic phase shifter, a first electro-optic phase shifter, or a first micro-electro-mechanical system index perturbation phase shifter. Optionally, the tunable linear gradient phase shifter communicates with the waveguide grating out-coupler and steers a beam along the flat phase front along a second angle in a second plane, which is perpendicular to the first plane.