What is optical phased arrays?

Optical phased arrays (OPAs) are devices that can control the phase of light waves by altering the path length of the waves. They consist of an array of optical waveguides or antennas that are capable of manipulating the phase of light, which enables them to steer light beams in different directions.

OPAs are increasingly being used in applications such as optical communications, lidar systems, and optical sensing. They offer several advantages over traditional optical systems, including faster response times, high precision, and the ability to easily control multiple beams simultaneously.

OPAs can be based on several different technologies, including liquid crystal displays, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), and photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The choice of technology depends on the application, as each has its own set of advantages and limitations.

One of the key challenges in developing OPAs is reducing the size and power consumption of the devices while maintaining high performance. Research is ongoing to develop new materials and fabrication techniques to overcome these challenges and enable the widespread adoption of OPA technology.