Closed loop operation of broadband resonator optical gyroscope using sawtooth phase modulations

A system, comprising:

• a broadband light source configured to generate an optical signal having a broadband frequency range;
• a first optical coupler of an optical resonator coupled to the broadband light source and configured to couple the optical signal into the optical resonator, wherein the optical signal propagates in a first direction through the optical resonator;
• a second optical coupler of the optical resonator and coupled to the first optical coupler, wherein the second optical coupler is configured to couple the optical signal out of the optical resonator;
• a phase modulator coupled to the second optical coupler, wherein the phase modulator is configured to generate a phase-modulated optical signal from the optical signal based on a sawtooth modulation signal, wherein the phase modulator is configured to reduce an amplitude of the sawtooth modulation signal while maintaining a slope of the sawtooth modulation signal;
• wherein the second optical coupler is configured to provide the phase-modulated optical signal back into the optical resonator, wherein the phase-modulated optical signal propagates in a second direction different from the first direction through the optical resonator to the first optical coupler,
• wherein the first optical coupler is configured to couple the phase-modulated optical signal out of the optical resonator, and
• at least one processor coupled to the first optical coupler and the phase modulator, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive a signal corresponding to the phase-modulated optical signal from the first optical coupler and configured to adjust at least one parameter of the phase modulator based on the received signal.

A method for operating a closed-loop optical gyroscope, comprising:

• generating an optical signal having a broadband frequency range;
• coupling, via a first optical coupler, the optical signal into an optical resonator, wherein the optical signal propagates in a first direction through the optical resonator;
• coupling, via a second optical coupler, the optical signal out of the optical resonator;
• modulating, via a phase modulator, the optical signal with a sawtooth modulation signal to generate a phase-modulated optical signal, wherein the phase modulator is configured to reduce an amplitude of the sawtooth modulation signal while maintaining a slope of the sawtooth modulation signal;
• coupling, via the second optical coupler, the phase-modulated optical signal back into the optical resonator, wherein the phase-modulated optical signal propagates in a second direction through the optical resonator different from the first direction;
• coupling, via the first optical coupler, the phase-modulated signal out of the optical resonator;
• receiving, at a control servo, a signal corresponding to the phase-modulated optical signal;
• and
• adjusting at least one parameter of the phase modulator based on the received signal.