Fiber-type optical phased array antenna-two dimensional beam steering and coherent power combining

We implemented a 3-element fiber-type optical phased array antenna, and measured its two-dimensional (2-D) beam steering and coherent power combining characteristics. Optical phased array antennas will become an attractive design alternative for future optical inter-satellite links (ISLs), where high-precision beam control technologies will be desired. A “fiber-type optical phased array” is suitable for 2-D beam steering and optical fiber amplifier utilization. Electrically controlled 2-D beam steering up to 0.3° is demonstrated. Three element beams are coherently combined, which results in an 8 times greater peak intensity