Optical multi-beam steering and communication using integrated acousto-optics arrays
Abstract Optical beam steering enables optical sensing, imaging, and long-range communication over free space. Despite the inherent speed of light, advanced applications increasingly require simultaneous steering of multiple, independently controlled beams, to enhance imaging throughput, boost commu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59831-x |
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| author | Qixuan Lin Shucheng Fang Yue Yu Zichen Xi Linbo Shao Bingzhao Li Mo Li |
| author_facet | Qixuan Lin Shucheng Fang Yue Yu Zichen Xi Linbo Shao Bingzhao Li Mo Li |
| author_sort | Qixuan Lin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Optical beam steering enables optical sensing, imaging, and long-range communication over free space. Despite the inherent speed of light, advanced applications increasingly require simultaneous steering of multiple, independently controlled beams, to enhance imaging throughput, boost communication bandwidth, and control qubit arrays for scalable quantum computing. However, precise multi-beam steering and control remain a significant challenge with current solid-state beam steering technologies, driving the need for integrated and scalable multi-beam steering solutions. Here, we report a scalable multi-beam steering system comprising an array of integrated acousto-optic beam steering channels on a thin-film lithium niobate platform. Each channel generates tens of individually controllable beams at 780 nm with sub-microsecond switching time by exciting acoustic waves using multi-tone microwave signals. We demonstrate the system’s unique capabilities through multiple-input, multiple-output free-space communications, simultaneously transmitting to multiple receivers at megabits/sec data rates. This technology is readily scalable to steer hundreds of optical beams from a compact chip, potentially advancing many areas of optical technologies and enabling novel applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d4c0824f5e1c436ea604c7d3dd66ed88 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-d4c0824f5e1c436ea604c7d3dd66ed882025-08-20T01:51:36ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-05-011611710.1038/s41467-025-59831-xOptical multi-beam steering and communication using integrated acousto-optics arraysQixuan Lin0Shucheng Fang1Yue Yu2Zichen Xi3Linbo Shao4Bingzhao Li5Mo Li6Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of WashingtonDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of WashingtonDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of WashingtonBradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia TechBradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia TechDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of WashingtonDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of WashingtonAbstract Optical beam steering enables optical sensing, imaging, and long-range communication over free space. Despite the inherent speed of light, advanced applications increasingly require simultaneous steering of multiple, independently controlled beams, to enhance imaging throughput, boost communication bandwidth, and control qubit arrays for scalable quantum computing. However, precise multi-beam steering and control remain a significant challenge with current solid-state beam steering technologies, driving the need for integrated and scalable multi-beam steering solutions. Here, we report a scalable multi-beam steering system comprising an array of integrated acousto-optic beam steering channels on a thin-film lithium niobate platform. Each channel generates tens of individually controllable beams at 780 nm with sub-microsecond switching time by exciting acoustic waves using multi-tone microwave signals. We demonstrate the system’s unique capabilities through multiple-input, multiple-output free-space communications, simultaneously transmitting to multiple receivers at megabits/sec data rates. This technology is readily scalable to steer hundreds of optical beams from a compact chip, potentially advancing many areas of optical technologies and enabling novel applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59831-x |
| spellingShingle | Qixuan Lin Shucheng Fang Yue Yu Zichen Xi Linbo Shao Bingzhao Li Mo Li Optical multi-beam steering and communication using integrated acousto-optics arrays Nature Communications |
| title | Optical multi-beam steering and communication using integrated acousto-optics arrays |
| title_full | Optical multi-beam steering and communication using integrated acousto-optics arrays |
| title_fullStr | Optical multi-beam steering and communication using integrated acousto-optics arrays |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optical multi-beam steering and communication using integrated acousto-optics arrays |
| title_short | Optical multi-beam steering and communication using integrated acousto-optics arrays |
| title_sort | optical multi beam steering and communication using integrated acousto optics arrays |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59831-x |
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