Laser communications hold the potential to bring internet-like speeds (exceeding Gb/s) to data transmission in space. One of the major challenges of the laser communications is the necessity to accurately direct narrow beams. In the present talk, we discuss how electrically reconfigurable active metasurfaces can address this challenge. We perform an optical link budget analysis and discuss how the link range can be extended by increasing the aperture diameter or the input optical power. To assess maximal available output powers from realistic metasurface-based apertures, we experimentally probe the gate-tunable performance of indium tin oxide (ITO)-based active metasurfaces upon high-power illumination.
Chip-scale beam steering units, which would replace currently used mechanical gimbals, could revolutionize the field of free space optical communications. We review chip-scale technologies, which enable electronic beam reconfigurations and steering without mechanically moving parts. We assess the feasibility of using different electrically steerable apertures such as active metasurfaces and optical phased arrays for laser communications. Our optical link budget analysis shows that, for metasurface apertures of 1 cm in diameter and input powers of 5 W, the free space link range can approach ~ 10,000 km. We also provide an outlook how the link range can be increased further.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.