Two-dimensional single-lobe Si photonic optical phased array with minimal antennas using a non-uniform large spacing array design

We report a two-dimensional Si photonic optical phased array (OPA) optimized for a large optical aperture with a minimal number of antennas while maintaining single-lobe far field. The OPA chip has an optical aperture of similar to 200 mu m by 150 mu m comprising a 9 x 9 antenna array. The two-dimensional spacings between these antennas are much larger than the wavelength and are highly non-uniform optimized by the genetic deep learning algorithm. The phase of each antenna is independently tunable by a thermo-optical phase shifter. The experimental results validate the design and exhibit a 0.39 degrees x 0.41 degrees beamwidth within the 3 dB steering range of 14 degrees x 11 degrees limited by the numerical aperture of the far-field camera system. The method can be easily extended to a larger aperture for narrower beamwidth and wider steering range. (C) 2022 Optica Publishing Group