Open AccessMulti-turn all-reflective optical gyroscope
Author(s) -
Spencer T. Cole,
R. L. Fork,
David J. Lamb,
Patrick J. Reardon
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.7.000285
Subject(s) - gyroscope , optics , ring laser gyroscope , sagnac effect , physics , fibre optic gyroscope , optical power , rotation (mathematics) , free space optical communication , optical fiber , laser , computer science , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence
We use calculation and simulation to characterize an all-reflective monolithic gyroscopic structure that supports 3 sets of orthogonal, spatially dense and continuous helical optical paths. This gyroscope differs from current fiber optic and ring laser gyroscopes primarily in the free space multi-turn nature of the optical path. The design also creates opportunities for introducing gain while minimizing spontaneous emission noise from those gain regions. The achievable angular measurement precision for each axis, given ideal components and no gain, is calculated to be ~0.001 degrees /hr for a structure of ~6.5 cm diameter, ~1 watt average optical power, and a wavelength of 0.5 microm. For fixed power, the uncertainty scales as the reciprocal cube of the diameter of the structure. While the fabrication and implementation requirements are challenging, the needed reflectivities and optical surface quality have been demonstrated in more conventional optics. In particular, the low mass, compact character, and all reflective optics offer advantages for applications in space.