Analysis of the limitations imposed by passive optical components on the free-space optical interconnections between dilute arrays of smart pixels

Abstract

In this paper we will further explore the requirements on passive optical components in interconnecting dilute arrays of smart pixels. We have analyzed the limitations on passive optics for interconnecting dilute smart pixel arrays for the specific case using Dammann gratings for spot array generation. This approach can be termed monolithic since it uses a single macro lens for the entire array. Alternatively, each pixel can be associated with a microoptical element (termed microchannel approach). A hybrid optical system containing microoptical and macrooptical elements has been proposed. Another hybrid approach corresponds to a using a macrolens array where each lens handles a small subset of pixels.