Slow-light Bragg reflector waveguide array for two-dimensional beam steering

Abstract

We propose and demonstrate a slow-light Bragg reflector waveguide array for two-dimensional (2D) beam steering. The device consists of a highly dispersive Bragg reflector waveguide array with a quarter-wavelength stack semiconductor mirrors and a Y-branch 1 × 4 splitter with a branching angle of 30°. The beam steering characteristics in the two orthogonal directions are clarified by tuning the input wavelength. Beam steering was demonstrated using wavelength tuning with the assistance of delay sections. The results show the possibility of 2D beam steering using the Bragg reflector waveguide array by combining wavelength tuning and thermo-optic phase tuning. © 2014 The Japan Society of Applied Physics.