Research progress of LIDAR system based on optical phased array technology

Optical Phase Array - OPA is a fast, flexible and non-mechanical beam pointing technology, which can be regarded as the extension of microwave phased array to the Optical wave frequency band. It has a wide application prospect and research value in target detection, imaging recognition, tracking scanning, laser interference and other fields. Optical phased array system is composed of a number of array elements, the basic idea is through electric scanning technology and modular design method. The beam can be transmitted, received and detected with high precision by using multiple small aperture beam oriental arrays. Based on acoustic-optic and elector-optic devices, the propagation direction of the beam is changed by controlling the initial phase of each element in the optical aperture, thus completed the laser beam array scan. In this paper, the development background and working principle of optical phased array technology are introduced. Based on the typical application of optical phased array technology, that is, laser phased array radar system, this paper summarizes the research progress and key technology breakthrough of this system in domestic and abroad. Finally, by analyzing the outstanding advantages of optical phased array technology, for one hand the research direction and application prospect of this technology in industrial and military fields are put forward, for the other hand the conceptual design and engineering research of this technology are summarized and prospected.