MIT researchers have developed a silicon-photonics lidar chip with integrated antennas that dramatically reduce crosstalk and expand the field of view without any moving parts.

The study, led by Henry Crawford-Eng with a team including Jelena Notaros as senior author, was published in Nature Communications on May 7, 2026.

Funding and support for the work came from the Semiconductor Research Corporation, the National Science Foundation, MIT MathWorks Fellowship, the U.S. Department of War, and the MIT Rolf G. Locher Endowed Fellowship.

Engineered antenna geometries ensure equal light emission, align beam direction for a given wavelength, and maintain consistent steering across the array.

The design uses an optical phased array to steer light electronically, eliminating mechanical components and replacing traditional spinning lidar.

Experiments show inter-antenna coupling reduced from about 100% to roughly 1*, enabling a single precise beam with a wide field of view without grating lobes.

This chip-scale, solid-state beam-steering lidar advances enable smaller, cheaper, and more durable sensors for autonomous vehicles, aerial surveying, and construction-site monitoring.