Optical phased array antenna and LiDAR including same

1. A light phased array antenna, comprising:

a light distributing unit configured to receive light from a laser generator and distribute the received light to a plurality of antenna element waveguides;

a phase modulating unit configured to modulate a phase of light propagated through the antenna element waveguides by applying an electric field to the plurality of antennal element waveguides; and

a light output unit configured to output light modulated in the phase modulating unit,

wherein the light distributing unit, the phase modulating unit, and the light output unit include a base part and an optical waveguide provided on the base part and including the plurality of antenna element waveguides,

wherein the base part includes a first layer and a second layer formed on an upper surface of the first layer, and the optical waveguide is provided on an upper surface of the second layer, and

wherein the antenna element waveguide includes a main waveguide layer and an auxiliary waveguide layer provided on the main waveguide layer.

2. The light phased array antenna of claim 1 , wherein the light distributing unit includes a light input unit to which the light from the laser generator is input, and a light splitting unit which splits the light input to the light input unit to a plurality of light.

3. The light phased array antenna of claim 2 , wherein the light input unit has an inverse tapered shape having a narrow portion, to which light is input, and a width increasing in a direction of the phase modulating unit.

4. The light phased array antenna of claim 1 , wherein the phase modulating unit includes a first electrode and a second electrode provided at both sides of the antenna element waveguide so as to form an electric field in the antenna element waveguide.

5. The light phased array antenna of claim 1 , wherein the second layer is formed of a non-linear optical material layer.

6. The light phased array antenna of claim 5 , wherein the non-linear material layer includes at least one of lithium niobate, lithium tantalite, lithium triborate, beta-barium borate, and potassium titanyl phosphate.

7. The light phased array antenna of claim 1 , wherein the main waveguide layer is formed of a silicon nitride, and the auxiliary waveguide layer is formed of silicon.

8. The light phased array antenna of claim 1 , wherein the light output unit includes a diffractive grating extending away from the antenna element waveguide in a direction away from the base part.

9. The light phased array antenna of claim 8 , wherein the light output unit is formed by spacing a plurality of diffractive gratings having a higher height of the antenna element waveguide.

10. The light phased array antenna of claim 1 , wherein the light output unit of the antenna element waveguide includes a plurality of lateral protrusions.

11. The light phased array antenna of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of lateral protrusions extend from both sides of the antenna element waveguide.

12. The light phased array antenna of claim 1 , wherein the light output unit is formed with a plurality of spaced stepping-stone parts obtained by cutting the antenna element waveguide.

13. A Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), comprising:

a laser generator;

a light phased array antenna;

a light receiving unit configured to receive light reflected from an object after the light is emitted from the light phased array antenna; and

a signal processing unit configured to process a signal received by the light receiving unit.,

wherein the light phased array antenna comprises,

a light distributing unit configured to receive light from the laser generator and distribute the received light to a plurality of antenna element waveguides;

a phase modulating unit configured to modulate a phase of light propagated through the antenna element waveguides by applying an electric field to the plurality of antennal element waveguides; and

a light output unit configured to output light modulated in the phase modulating unit,

wherein the light distributing unit, the phase modulating unit, and the light output unit include a base part and an optical waveguide provided on the base part and including the plurality of antenna element waveguides,

wherein the base part includes a first layer and a second layer formed on an upper surface of the first layer, and the optical waveguide is provided on an upper surface of the second layer, and

wherein the antenna element waveguide includes a main waveguide layer and an auxiliary waveguide layer provided on the main waveguide layer.

14. The LiDAR of claim 13 , wherein the light distributing unit includes a light input unit to which the light from the laser generator is input, and a light splitting unit which splits the light input to the light input unit to a plurality of light.

15. The LiDAR of claim 13 , wherein the light output unit includes a diffractive grating extending away from the antenna element waveguide in a direction away from the base part.

16. The LiDAR of claim 13 , wherein the light output unit of the antenna element waveguide includes a plurality of lateral protrusions.

17. The LiDAR of claim 13 , wherein the light output unit is formed with a plurality of spaced stepping-stone parts obtained by cutting the antenna element waveguide.