Integrated phased array for two dimensional beem steering through constructive interference by light emitting structures comprising select elements on a two-dimensional lattice

1. An apparatus, comprising:

N optical structures positioned on a two-dimensional lattice defining a plane, the N optical structures configured to redirect light out of the plane, the N optical structures collectively arranged in a configuration that is curved and that includes select elements on the two-dimensional lattice;

N optical waveguides integrated in the plane to individually supply optical power to each of the N optical structures;

N optical phase shifters integrated into the N optical waveguides to individually control the phases of light emitted by the N optical structures to provide two dimensional beam confinement and two dimensional beam steering through constructive interference;

a second set of N optical structures positioned on a second two-dimensional lattice defining a second plane stacked on top of the plane, the second set of N optical structures configured to redirect light out of the second plane, the second set of N optical structures collectively arranged in a configuration that includes select elements on the second two-dimensional lattice defining the second plane; and

a second set of N optical waveguides integrated in the second plane to individually supply optical power to each of the second set of N optical structures.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the N optical structures is positioned at an intersection of axes of the two-dimensional lattice.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the configuration has slanted linear segments.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the configuration approximates a sinusoidal function.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the configuration is a parabola.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the configuration is a circle.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the two-dimensional lattice has orthogonal axes.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the two-dimensional lattice has non-orthogonal axes.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the two-dimensional lattice has identical primary vectors defining a single lattice constant.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the two-dimensional lattice has primary vectors of different sizes defining two different lattice constants.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the horizontal width of the N optical waveguides is N−1 times waveguide pitch.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the N optical waveguides has a substantially identical waveguide pitch corresponding to a lattice constant.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the N optical structures are selected from mirrors, gratings, fiber end facets, waveguides terminated by mirrors, laser diodes and light scattering particles.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 in combination with a lidar system.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 implemented on M parallel planes.