Free space optical communication link using a silicon photonic optical phased array

William S. Rabinovich; Peter G. Goetz; Marcel Pruessner; Rita Mahon; Mike S. Ferraro; Doe Park; Erin Fleet; Michael J. DePrenger

doi:10.1117/12.2077222

16 March 2015 Free space optical communication link using a silicon photonic optical phased array

William S. Rabinovich, Peter G. Goetz, Marcel Pruessner, Rita Mahon, Mike S. Ferraro, Doe Park, Erin Fleet, Michael J. DePrenger

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9354, Free-Space Laser Communication and Atmospheric Propagation XXVII; 93540B (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2077222
Event: SPIE LASE, 2015, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Many components for free space optical communication systems have shrunken in size over the last decade. However, the steering systems have remained large and power hungry. Non-mechanical beam steering offers a path to reducing the size of these systems. Optical phased arrays can allow integrated beam steering elements. One of the most important aspects of an optical phased array technology is its scalability to a large number of elements. Silicon photonics can potentially offer this scalability using CMOS foundry techniques. In this paper a small-scale silicon photonic optical phased array is demonstrated for both the transmitter and receiver functions in a free space optical link. The device using an array of thermo-optically controlled waveguide phase shifters and demonstrates one-dimensional steering with a single control electrode. Transmission of a digitized video data stream over the link is shown.

Citation Download Citation

William S. Rabinovich, Peter G. Goetz, Marcel Pruessner, Rita Mahon, Mike S. Ferraro, Doe Park, Erin Fleet, and Michael J. DePrenger "Free space optical communication link using a silicon photonic optical phased array", Proc. SPIE 9354, Free-Space Laser Communication and Atmospheric Propagation XXVII, 93540B (16 March 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2077222

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