Two-dimensional pseudo-random optical phased array based on tandem optical injection locking of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers

We demonstrate, both theoretically and experimentally, a pseudo-random, two-dimensional optical phased array (OPA) concept based on tandem injection locking of 64-element vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays. A low cavity-Q VCSEL design resulted in an injection locking optical power of less than 1 mu W per VCSEL, providing large OPA scaling potential. Tandem injection locking of two VCSEL arrays resulted in measured controllable optical phase change of 0-1.6p. A high quality beam formed with suppressed grating lobes due to the pseudo-random array design was demonstrated with performance close to simulated results. A preliminary 2.2 degrees x 1.2 degrees beam steering example using the tandem arrays was also demonstrated. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America