Ring laser gyroscope with ion migration field reducer shield

A ring laser gyroscope, comprising:

• a laser block that includes a resonant internal cavity defined by a plurality of surfaces of an optical closed loop pathway, the optical closed loop pathway configured to contain a lasing gas, wherein the laser block comprises a glass ceramic material;
• a plurality of electrodes coupled to the laser block, the electrodes configured to apply an electric potential through the lasing gas to create a gas plasma discharge region in the optical closed loop pathway to generate a pair of counter-propagating laser beams, wherein the plurality of electrodes include a cathode mounted on a first side of the laser block, a first anode mounted on a second side of the laser block, and a second anode mounted on a third side of the laser block, wherein the anodes have a first negative electric potential, and the cathode has a second negative electric potential that is less than the first negative electric potential;
• a dither motor operatively coupled with the laser block in a central area of the laser block, wherein the dither motor has a ground electric potential;
• and
• a field reducer shield comprising an electrically conductive material, the field reducer shield located completely within the laser block and adjacent to the dither motor, wherein the field reducer shield has an intermediate electric potential that is between the first negative electric potential and the second negative electric potential;
• wherein the field reducer shield is located between the dither motor and the cathode, such that the field reducer shield modifies an electrical gradient between the dither motor and the cathode, to substantially prevent ions in the laser block from migrating toward the plurality of surfaces of the optical closed loop pathway.