Systems and methods for free space optical injection locking

An optical emission array, comprising:

• a substrate disposed horizontally along a horizontal plane defined by a virtual x-axis and a virtual y-axis;
• a waveguide distribution portion disposed in a vertical direction defined by a virtual z-axis substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the waveguide distribution portion including (a) an optical input configured to provide a parent laser source for the optical emission array, and (b) first and second waveguide optical distribution branches (i) disposed parallel to one another in the vertical direction from the substrate, and (ii) connecting with first and second waveguide distribution stacking points, respectively;
• and
• first and second active emission layers disposed horizontally parallel with the substrate, wherein the second active emission layer is disposed farther from the substrate, in the vertical direction, than the first active emission layer,
• wherein the first active emission layer includes (a) a first emission stacking point connecting with the first waveguide distribution stacking point of the waveguide distribution portion, and (b) a plurality of first child laser emitters, injection-locked to the parent laser source, and disposed parallel to one another in a horizontal direction along the virtual x-axis of the first active emission layer, and
• wherein the second active emission layer includes (a) a second emission stacking point connecting with the second waveguide distribution stacking point of the waveguide distribution portion, and (b) a plurality of second child laser emitters each injection-locked to the parent laser source, and disposed parallel (i) to one another in the horizontal direction along the virtual x-axis, and (ii) to the plurality of first child lasers in the vertical direction along the virtual z-axis, such that the pluralities of first and second child lasers form a vertically x-z planar array.