Chip scale optical systems

A method for imaging light at a predetermined spot,

• optically coupling a light source to an optical port in an optical phased array, the optical phased array comprising:
• a plurality of optical waveguides;
• a root optical waveguide optically connected at one end to one optical waveguide from the plurality of optical waveguides;
• another end of the root optical waveguide constituting the optical port;
• a plurality of optical couplers disposed in an array;
• the plurality of optical waveguides optically connecting the plurality of optical couplers to the optical port via respective optical paths, one optical path per optical coupler;
• and
• a plurality of configurable optical delay lines;
• each configurable optical delay line from the plurality of configurable optical delay lines being disposed in one respective optical path from the respective optical paths;
• the plurality of configurable optical delay lines being configured such that the plurality of optical couplers emit a non-planar phase front near field radiation pattern;
• the non-planar phase front near field radiation pattern configured to focus emitted light onto the predetermined spot.

A method for receiving light from a predetermined spot, the method comprising:

• receiving light at a plurality of optical couplers in an optical phased array, the optical phased array comprising:
• a plurality of optical waveguides;
• a root optical waveguide optically connected at one end to one optical waveguide from the plurality of optical waveguides;
• another end of the root optical waveguide constituting an optical port;
• the plurality of optical couplers disposed in an array;
• the plurality of optical waveguides optically connecting the plurality of optical couplers to the optical port via respective optical paths, one optical path per optical coupler;
• and
• a plurality of configurable optical delay lines;
• each configurable optical delay line from the plurality of configurable optical delay lines being disposed in one respective optical path from the respective optical paths;
• the plurality of configurable optical delay lines being configured such that the plurality of optical couplers receive a non-planar phase front near field radiation pattern;
• the non-planar phase front near field radiation pattern configured to image light onto the predetermined spot when the optical couplers are receiving light from a light source coupled to the optical port.