The optical phased array controls the emission beam by adjusting the phase of the array antenna to change the wavefront, thus achieving control over the emission beam. Optical phased array technology has great potential applications in areas such as laser radar, laser communication, high-brightness laser generation, and synthetic aperture detection. This article reviews the research progress, advantages, and disadvantages of liquid crystal phased arrays, micro-electro-mechanical system phased arrays, and optical waveguide phased arrays. It also delves into the optical waveguide phased array technology in laser radar, proposing breakthrough directions for this technology.