Experimental demonstration of an optical phased array antenna for laser space communications
- 20 June 1994
- journal article
- Published by Optica Publishing Group in Applied Optics
- Vol. 33 (18) , 3820-3830
- https://doi.org/10.1364/ao.33.003820
Abstract
The feasibility of an optical phased array antenna applicable for spaceborne laser communications was experimentally demonstrated. Heterodyne optical phase-locked loops provide for a defined phase relationship between the collimated output beams of three single-mode fibers. In the far field the beams interfere with a measured efficiency of 99%. The main lobe of the interference pattern can be moved by phase shifting the subaperture output beams. The setup permitted agile beam steering within an angular range of 1 mr and a response time of 0.7 ms. We propose an operational optical phased array antenna fed by seven lasers, featuring high transmit power and redundance.Keywords
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