Beam steering mechanism in phased vertical cavity laser arrays

Matthew T. Johnson, Dominic F. Siriani, Kent D. Choquette

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Beam steering with optical phased arrays is accomplished by introducing a relative phase shift between array elements [1]. This is typically achieved by altering the refractive index difference between elements, which alters the optical path length of incident radiation traveling through the elements. Beam steering with VCSEL arrays has also been shown to rely on such a refractive index variation [2], which is implemented by adjusting the current injection to the elements. However, if we view the VCSEL array as a waveguide from the active region through the distributed Bragg Reflectors, it can be shown that the index-induced phase shift between elements would only account for less than 1/100th of the observed phase shift [2]. It is thus evident that phased VCSEL arrays rely on a fundamentally different phase-shifting mechanism. To investigate this, we turn to coupled mode theory, which has previously been applied to the dynamics of coupled edge emitting laser arrays and phase tuning in injection-locked VCSELs [3, 4].

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2013 IEEE Photonics Conference, IPC 2013
Pages250-251
Number of pages2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event2013 26th IEEE Photonics Conference, IPC 2013 - Bellevue, WA, United States
Duration: Sep 8 2013Sep 12 2013

Publication series

Name2013 IEEE Photonics Conference, IPC 2013

Other

Other2013 26th IEEE Photonics Conference, IPC 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBellevue, WA
Period9/8/139/12/13

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Instrumentation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Beam steering mechanism in phased vertical cavity laser arrays'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this