Integrated Light Sources Based on Micro‐Ring Resonators for Chip‐Based LiDAR

Abstract

AbstractThe micro‐ring resonator (MRR) is a crucial element in integrated photonics. It allows for the realization of various optical devices, including integrated filters, modulators, micro‐ring laser cavities, detectors, optical logic switches, and nonlinear optical devices. The development of integrated photonics has enabled the integration of these devices with other components into a photonic chip to perform specific functions. For instance, widely tunable MRR‐based lasers have been integrated with optical phased arrays (OPAs), detectors, and other elements to form a fully integrated LiDAR engine. Advances in nanofabrication have facilitated the miniaturization of nanophotonic phased arrays and on‐chip lasers. MRR‐based integrated external cavity lasers (ECLs) and integrated optical frequency combs (OFCs) have significantly enhanced the scanning and detection capabilities of LiDAR recently. Additionally, their size and power consumption have been continuously reduced, rendering them suitable for chip‐scale integration. This paper systematically reviews the major advancements of MRR‐based integrated lasers for chip‐scale LiDAR.