Photonic Integrated Circuits for Coherent Lidar

A decade ago integrated photonic devices typically consisted of single components that fulfilled one specific function, such as phase modulation or splitting into N beams. In the intervening years, photonic integrated circuits (PICs) have undergone a revolution in terms of component functions, loss reductions, and high level functional integration. This has in part been driven by the development of device designs compatible with conventional CMOS fabrication processes. We are now at a point where component diversity, low losses, and low cost fabrication enables us to consider development of coherent laser radar systems based around PIC technology. In this talk we will highlight some of the current developments in the PIC domain, with an emphasis on technology elements applicable to coherent laser radar systems. Examples include narrowband lasers, frequency shifters, beam distribution networks, and large angle photonic beam steering.