Ring-laser gyroscope system using dispersive element(s)
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorDavid D. Smith
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Abstract
A ring-laser gyroscope system includes a ring-laser gyroscope (RLG) and at least one dispersive element optically coupled to the RLG's ring-shaped optical path. Each dispersive element has a resonant frequency that is approximately equal to the RLG's lasing frequency. A group index of refraction defined collectively by the dispersive element(s) has (i) a real portion that is greater than zero and less than one, and (ii) an imaginary portion that is less than zero.
Claims24
A ring-laser gyroscope system, comprising:
- a ring-laser gyroscope (RLG) having a ring-shaped optical path, said RLG having a lasing frequency;
- and
- at least one dispersive element optically coupled to said ring-shaped optical path, each said dispersive element having a resonant frequency that is approximately equal to said lasing frequency of said RLG, wherein a group index of refraction defined collectively by said at least one dispersive element has (i) a real portion that is greater than zero and less than one, and (ii) an imaginary portion that is less than zero.
A ring-laser gyroscope system, comprising:
- a ring-laser gyroscope (RLG) having a ring-shaped optical path, said RLG generating counter-propagating laser beams at a lasing frequency along said ring-shaped optical path wherein a beat frequency is defined between said counter-propagating laser beams when said RLG is rotated, and wherein light at backscattering frequencies is generated as said counter-propagating laser beams traverse said ring-shaped optical path;
- and
- optical means optically coupled to said ring-shaped optical path for increasing said beat frequency for a given rate of rotation of said RLG and for absorbing said light at backscattering frequencies.
A method of improving rotation-rate sensitivity of a ring-laser gyroscope (RLG) having a lasing frequency, comprising the step of optically coupling at least one dispersive element to said ring-shaped optical path, each said dispersive element having a resonant frequency that is approximately equal to the lasing frequency of the RLG, wherein a group index of refraction defined collectively by said at least one dispersive element has (i) a real portion that is greater than zero and less than one, and (ii) an imaginary portion that is less than zero.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.