High-performance semiconductor optical amplifier and array for FMCW LiDAR in high-speed autonomous vehicles

Sidi Aboujja; Daniel Chu

doi:10.1117/12.2649183

14 March 2023 High-performance semiconductor optical amplifier and array for FMCW LiDAR in high-speed autonomous vehicles

Sidi Aboujja, Daniel Chu

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12403, High-Power Diode Laser Technology XXI; 1240305 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2649183
Event: SPIE LASE, 2023, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

We present an industry-leading semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) platform that exhibits top performance at both 1550nm and 1310nm used in FMCW (frequency-modulated continuous-wave) LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) for autonomous vehicles. The SOA structure is based on a proprietary 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 450mW and 600mW. The small signal gain exceeds 40dB for both 1310nm and 1550nm SOA. An array of four SOA waveguides at 127um or 500um pitch can deliver total output power over 2 Watts. SOA arrays can also be processed as individually addressable with electrical and optical isolations. Such high performance offers the design freedom to LiDAR systems with various scanning strategies such that long range detection can be realized. 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. Gain chip based on the curved waveguide for various laser configurations is tested and discussed. The SOA chips and arrays can be integrated into a Silicon Photonic Integrated Circuit (Si PIC) to minimize the total footprint of a LiDAR system and overall cost. They include self-alignment features for the ease of integration and high coupling efficiency on Si PIC.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Sidi Aboujja and Daniel Chu "High-performance semiconductor optical amplifier and array for FMCW LiDAR in high-speed autonomous vehicles", Proc. SPIE 12403, High-Power Diode Laser Technology XXI, 1240305 (14 March 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2649183

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