Podcasts · The Hardware Podcast with Fexingo: Chips, Devices, and Electronics Engineering Conversations
How Chip-Scale Optical Phased Arrays Steer Light Without Moving Parts
· 9:24 · S3 E145
Episode How Chip-Scale Optical Phased Arrays Steer Light Without Moving Parts
Lucas and Luna dive into optical phased arrays, the chip-scale technology that steers laser light electronically with no moving parts. They trace how this tech, once confined to military radar, is now enabling solid-state LiDAR for autonomous vehicles and free-space optical communications. The episode explains the physics - how tiny phase shifters create constructive interference to direct a beam - and why it beats spinning mirrors. They cover the manufacturing challenges, the role of silicon photonics, and how costs are falling as foundries scale. You'll learn about the companies racing to commercialize it, the bet on solid-state LiDAR for self-driving cars, and the latest breakthroughs from summer 2026. If you've ever wondered how your car will see without moving parts, this episode delivers the specifics. Brought to you by Fexingo Business Podcast Network.
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Transcript
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