Spiral layout for scalable low-sidelobe phase arrays and on-chip spatial light modulator-assisted spiral optical phased array

A phased array antenna system for an optical array, comprising:

• a substrate;
• a light source or a light detector;
• a plurality of optical antenna elements arranged in a spiral pattern on the substrate and coupled to the light source configured to transmit light from the antenna elements or coupled to the light detector configured to receive light via the antenna elements, the spiral pattern based on parameters defining physical placement of the antenna elements relative to one another on the spiral pattern and relative to a center of the spiral pattern to minimize sidelobes of an interference pattern produced the transmitted light or received light via the antenna elements;
• and
• a spatial light modulator positioned to receive and modulate light emitted from the plurality of optical antenna elements or received by the phased array antenna system to perform beam steering.