Coherence Scrambling using an Integrated Optical Phased Array and a Multi-Mode Fiber

Speckle noise degrades high-resolution imaging by obscuring essential details. We propose a compact, non-mechanical solution using a one-dimensional optical phased array integrated in an indium phosphide photonic integrated circuit edge-coupled to a multi-mode fiber. This system significantly reduces speckle contrast and ensures a near-uniform intensity profile by actively scrambling spatial coherence. Our experiments agree with simulated predictions and show that polarization mixing and camera resolution further decrease speckle effects. Thus, this integrated approach offers a scalable and vibration-free method for applications in<br/>metrology, holography, and other fields of coherence-based imaging. Future work will assess the performance of different optical phased arrays designs, as well as investigate additional ways of coherence scrambling affecting the measurements.