An Integrated Waveguide Array Lens for Wide-Angle Beam Steering

We introduce a new approach for waveguide lensing based on an array of waveguides with distributed coupling. By engineering the transverse distance between adjacent waveguides, we design a Jx lattice that guarantees equidistant propagation constants for the array supermodes. This enables the lensing functionality at half the self-imaging length of the array, without the need for any gradient index control. The proposed lens allows for beam steering through selective channel excitation. The proposed lens can serve as an integral component of integrated focal plane arrays. We present the design of a compatible integrated grating coupler that allows for efficient off-chip radiation, with simulation results showing that beam steering with a field of view of 60 degrees can be achieved.