Semiconductor optical amplifier array for coherent FMCW LiDAR in autonomous vehicles

Sidi Aboujja; Daniel Chu

doi:10.1117/12.2663616

12 June 2023 Semiconductor optical amplifier array for coherent FMCW LiDAR in autonomous vehicles

Sidi Aboujja, Daniel Chu

Proceedings Volume 12537, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XXVIII; 125370D (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2663616
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2023, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) has drawn much attention due to its critical need in coherent detection scheme such as FMCW (frequency-modulated continuous-wave) in automotive LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). Coherent detection provides more features than ToF (Time of Flight) such as speed and direction for autonomous vehicles. Instead of a bulky and expensive fiber laser, a coherent laser source with high gain SOA can achieve small form factor with Si PIC (Photonic Integrated Circuit). Here we present a proprietary SOA structure based on AlInGaAs material system with multiple quantum wells on InP substrate. The SOAs with curved and tilted straight waveguides were developed and tested. The saturated output power of such SOA at 1550nm and 1310nm can reach higher than 350mW and 450mW with high wallplug efficiency. The small signal gain exceeds 40dB for both 1310nm and 1550nm. The low anti-reflection (AR) coating can achieve 0.01% reflectivity, and the noise figure and near-field mode fields of various SOA configurations are presented and compared. An array of four SOA waveguides at 127m or 500m pitch can deliver total output power over 2 Watts with proper heat sinking. SOA arrays can also be processed as individually addressable with electrical and optical isolations. Such high-performance SOA array offers the design freedom to LiDAR systems with various scanning strategies such that long range detection can be realized. Gain chip, RSOA (Reflective SOA) based on the curved waveguide for external cavity laser configurations is tested and discussed. Self-alignment features can be built onto the SOA chipset to achieve integration of Si PIC for minimal footprint and low-cost mass production.

Citation Download Citation

Sidi Aboujja and Daniel Chu "Semiconductor optical amplifier array for coherent FMCW LiDAR in autonomous vehicles", Proc. SPIE 12537, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XXVIII, 125370D (12 June 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2663616

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KEYWORDS

LIDAR

Waveguides

Semiconductor optical amplifiers

Photonic integrated circuits

Optical coherence

Design and modelling

Optical amplifiers

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