Spatiotemporal control of optical
wavefronts is of great importance
in numerous free-space optical applications including imaging in 3D
and through scattering media, remote sensing, and generation of various
beam profiles for microscopy. Progress in these applications is currently
limited due to lack of compact and high-speed spatial light modulators.
Here we report an active antenna comprising a free-space coupled asymmetric
Fabry–Perot resonator that produces a phase-dominant thermo-optic
modulation of reflected light at frequencies approaching tens of kilohertz.
As a proof of concept for spatial light modulation, we demonstrate
a 6 × 6 array of such active antennas with beam deflection capability.
The robust design of our silicon-based active antenna will enable
large-scale integration of high-speed, phase-dominant spatial light
modulators.