Abstract

We discuss using a basic design with a high-Q optical system that is capable of reducing random drift to enhance sensor accuracy in a laser-diode-based packaged ring laser gyroscope. We show that adding optical cavities to the packaged optical loop could potentially compensate for optical losses in certain specific straight-line segments of the loop (optical paths and mirror systems) by increasing the overall Q of the system. We present model results for symmetric triangular optical designs with path lengths of 50, 100, 150, and 200 mm. The optical design developed in this paper yielded performance that was nearly an order of magnitude better: Our design with a path length of 100 mm had a Q factor of 5.8×10¹⁴ and a random drift of 8×10⁻⁴deg/h^1/2, which conforms to Class 1 accuracy standards for inertial gyroscopes. Increasing the Q factor for the optical design expanded the coverage range of the gyroscope package scale factor. The results of this study were used to develop a prototype laser-diode-based packaged ring laser gyroscope.

© 2021 Optical Society of America

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