Laser gyroscope system
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsIrl W. Smith, Terry A. Dorschner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A four-frequency laser gyroscope system having improved accuracy is constructed using a single solid block of low thermal coefficient of expansion material. A four-segment nonplanar propagation path provides a first frequency splitting. A second splitting is provided by a Faraday rotator having a thin slab of rare earth-doped glass positioned within an aperture in a permanent magnet. A narrow angle of incidence is provided for the beams of incident upon the output mirror to prevent cross coupling between beams within the output optics structure. Blocking the gaseous flow path reduces output frequency drift caused by contamininating particles.
Claims6
A Faraday rotator element for a laser gyroscope comprising in combination:
- a base support member having an aperture therein;
- a permanent magnet having an aperture therein, said aperture in said permanent magnet being aligned with said aperture in said base support member;
- a slab of rare earth-doped glass, said slab being positioned within said aperture in said permanent magnet, said slab and said permanent magnet being supported by said base member;
- a spring, said spring holding said slab against said base member;
- and
- a retaining member for said spring, said retaining member having an aperture therein aligned with said apertures in said base support member and said permanent magnet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.