Multifunction control of liquid crystal optical phased array device

This paper developed a programmable optical device using as a 1D transmissive liquid crystal optical phased array. Unlike reflective devices that require half-reflective and half-transmissive beam splitters in application system, the transmissive structure is more compact, easier to use and exhibits lower insertion losses. The device is based on a fully embedded system, leveraging a touchscreen for human-machine interaction instead of conventional computer-based control, enhancing portability and reducing costs. Programmable functionalities such as beam scanning, focusing, defocusing, and combined focusing/defocusing with scanning have been successfully implemented, which has important potential applications in free space laser communications, electro-optical countermeasure and lidar detection, among others.