System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to a photonic apparatus. The photonic apparatus including a phase shifter that modulates a light wave propagated within the phase shifter by progressively shifting a phase of the light wave along a length of the phase shifter. The photonic apparatus includes optical outputs operably connected with the phase shifter at intervals along the length of the phase shifter. The optical outputs provide the light wave with different phases according to the intervals at which the optical outputs are spaced on the phase shifter.