Optimization of electro-optic phase shifters for integrated optical phased arrays

Dwayne D. Macik; Tyler E. Bravo; Seeley M. Pentecost; Francisco A. Espinal; Christi K. Madsen

doi:10.1117/12.2262725

11 May 2017 Optimization of electro-optic phase shifters for integrated optical phased arrays

Dwayne D. Macik, Tyler E. Bravo, Seeley M. Pentecost, Francisco A. Espinal, Christi K. Madsen

Proceedings Volume 10181, Advanced Optics for Defense Applications: UV through LWIR II; 1018105 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2262725
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2017, Anaheim, CA, United States

Abstract

A low-loss, high-speed optical phased array (OPA) has been designed and fabricated. Two different platforms have been utilized in combination to leverage electro-optic (EO) tuning. A lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) optical phased array was fabricated and used in conjunction with a silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) 8x8 waveguide array that condenses the output pitch and utilizes the Triplex^TM waveguide technology. This OPA allows for the non-mechanical beam steering (NMBS) of 1550 nm light on an edge coupled optic platform and takes advantage of the high electro-optic coefficient and high speed capability of LiNbO₃ for electro-optic phase tuning. This coupled OPA has an overall insertion loss of ~3.5 dB which is advantageous to silicon-on-insulator OPAs that have shown overall insertion losses of ~14 dB. To characterize and tune this device, a 3 lens imaging system was employed to produce both near- and far- field intensity patterns of the output of the OPA on a static image plane. At the image plane, a high resolution infrared camera was used to observe the resulting intensity pattern. The control software for tuning the OPA reads the intensity incident at a specified position on the detector array, and has a PWM interface to drive the electro-optic phase controls. Beam steering was accomplished using an iterative tuning algorithm.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Dwayne D. Macik, Tyler E. Bravo, Seeley M. Pentecost, Francisco A. Espinal, and Christi K. Madsen "Optimization of electro-optic phase shifters for integrated optical phased arrays", Proc. SPIE 10181, Advanced Optics for Defense Applications: UV through LWIR II, 1018105 (11 May 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2262725

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