Fixed-Wavelength Two Dimensional Beam Steering in Silicon Optical Phased Arrays Using Carrier-Injection based Tunable Grating Antennas

We propose and simulate a two-dimensional optical phased array using a silicon-based optical integrated circuit. Beam steering is achieved over a range of 11.73° × 11.9° at a fixed wavelength of 1550 nm. Steering along the transverse direction (ϕ) is accomplished using the phased array principle, while steering along the longitudinal direction (θ) is performed by routing light beams into optical phased arrays (OPAs) of variable grating period, coupled with the use of tunable grating antennas. The phased array principle and the operation of tunable grating antennas are implemented using carrier injection. Continuous beam steering is demonstrated in both directions at a fixed wavelength of 1550 nm.