Patent classifications
G01C19/665
Stimulated brillouin ring laser gyroscope with optical frequency offset of counterpropagating pump laser signals
A disk resonator is pumped by counterpropagating pump signals to produce corresponding counterpropagating Brillouin laser signals. The pump laser optical frequencies are separated by a frequency offset Δν.sub.P but excite the same nominal resonator optical mode; the Brillouin laser optical frequencies are separated by a beat frequency Δν.sub.L with 0<Δν.sub.L<Δν.sub.P. A photodetector receives the Brillouin laser signals and produces an electrical signal at the beat frequency Δν.sub.L. The frequency offset Δν.sub.P can be large so enough to prevent locking of the Brillouin laser signals onto a common Brillouin laser frequency. A signal processing system derives from the beat frequency Δν.sub.L an estimated angular velocity component of the disk optical resonator about an axis substantially perpendicular to the disk optical resonator.
Cavity optomechanical vibratory gyroscope
A cavity optomechanical vibratory gyroscope pertains to technical fields of resonant optical gyroscopes and micro-optical-electro-mechanical systems. A novel cavity optomechnical Coriolis vibratory micro gyroscope is realized based on ring micro rings and the Coriolis vibration principle, and driving and detection thereof is completely different from conventional electric or magnetic means. Based on the principle of angular velocity sensitive structures in the conventional Coriolis vibratory gyroscopes, full-optical driving, detecting and sensing of a vibratory gyroscope are achieved using cavity optomechnical technologies, which fundamentally suppresses various noises (including thermal noise, cross interference, connection point noise and quadrature error) introduced by electric or magnetic driving. Besides, displacement (vibration) sensing information is obtained according to a linear relationship between frequency shift and light amplitude in the micro cavity optomechnical effect.
OPTICAL GYROSCOPE WITH A RESONATOR HAVING BIAS ERROR REDUCTION
Techniques for reducing the bias error present in optical gyroscopes is disclosed. Such techniques include at least one path length adjustment member placed in an optical gyroscope resonator, which are configured to modulate the optical path length of the resonator so that bias errors attributable to the optical path length are shifted outside of the bandwidth of the optical gyroscope. In some embodiments, the at least one path length adjustment member includes a plurality of microheaters coupled to the resonator, in which case optical path length modulation is achieved by heating the resonator via the microheaters. Alternatively, a plurality of piezo-electric regions can be placed in the resonator, which enables optical path length modulation through electric field gradients applied to the piezo-electric regions.
Extra thick ultraviolet durability coating
Systems and methods for embodiments having an extra thick ultraviolet durability coating are described herein. For example, a system may include a laser block assembly. The system may also include a cavity in the laser block assembly. Further, the system may include a plurality of multilayer mirrors in the cavity. In certain embodiments, at least one multilayer mirror of the plurality of multilayer mirrors may include a plurality of alternating layers of a first optical material having a high index of refraction and a second optical material having a first low index of refraction. Additionally, the at least one multilayer mirror may include a multilayer durability coating disposed on the plurality of alternating layers.
CAVITY OPTOMECHANICAL VIBRATORY GYROSCOPE
A cavity optomechanical vibratory gyroscope pertains to technical fields of resonant optical gyroscopes and micro-optical-electro-mechanical systems. A novel cavity optomechnical Coriolis vibratory micro gyroscope is realized based on ring micro rings and the Coriolis vibration principle, and driving and detection thereof is completely different from conventional electric or magnetic means. Based on the principle of angular velocity sensitive structures in the conventional Coriolis vibratory gyroscopes, full-optical driving, detecting and sensing of a vibratory gyroscope are achieved using cavity optomechnical technologies, which fundamentally suppresses various noises (including thermal noise, cross interference, connection point noise and quadrature error) introduced by electric or magnetic driving. Besides, displacement (vibration) sensing information is obtained according to a linear relationship between frequency shift and light amplitude in the micro cavity optomechnical effect. Thereby, a new type of gyroscope is developed completely and systematically in the interdisciplinary field of mechanics and optics, to enable it with performance characteristics of high sensitivity, high bandwidth, high dynamic range and high stability.
STIMULATED BRILLOUIN RING LASER GYROSCOPE WITH OPTICAL FREQUENCY OFFSET OF COUNTERPROPAGATING PUMP LASER SIGNALS
A disk resonator is pumped by counterpropagating pump signals to produce corresponding counterpropagating Brillouin laser signals. The pump laser optical frequencies are separated by a frequency offset Δν.sub.P but excite the same nominal resonator optical mode; the Brillouin laser optical frequencies are separated by a beat frequency Δν.sub.L with 0<Δν.sub.L<Δν.sub.P. A photodetector receives the Brillouin laser signals and produces an electrical signal at the beat frequency Δν.sub.L. The frequency offset Δν.sub.P can be large so enough to prevent locking of the Brillouin laser signals onto a common Brillouin laser frequency. A signal processing system derives from the beat frequency Δν.sub.L an estimated angular velocity component of the disk optical resonator about an axis substantially perpendicular to the disk optical resonator.
EXTRA THICK ULTRAVIOLET DURABILITY COATING
Systems and methods for embodiments having an extra thick ultraviolet durability coating are described herein. For example, a system may include a laser block assembly. The system may also include a cavity in the laser block assembly. Further, the system may include a plurality of multilayer mirrors in the cavity. In certain embodiments, at least one multilayer mirror of the plurality of multilayer mirrors may include a plurality of alternating layers of a first optical material having a high index of refraction and a second optical material having a first low index of refraction. Additionally, the at least one multilayer mirror may include a multilayer durability coating disposed on the plurality of alternating layers.
Switching SBS gyro with fixed pump separation
A ring-laser gyroscope which generates in an optical ring resonator and in response to a first pump beam, a first back-scattered beam propagating in a direction; generates in the optical ring resonator and in response to a second pumped beam, a second back-scattered beam propagating in an opposite direction; determines a first difference between the frequencies of the first and second back-scattered beams; reverses the directions of the first and second back-scattered beams; determines a second difference between the frequencies of the first and second back-scattered beams; determines a third difference between the first and second differences; and determines a rotation of the optical ring resonator in response to the third difference.
OXIDE-BASED DOPING OF EVAPORABLE GETTER
Systems and methods for oxide-based doping of an evaporable getter are described herein. In certain embodiments, a method includes mixing a first getter material with a second getter material to create a mixed getter material. The method also includes mixing an oxide dopant with the mixed getter material to create a doped getter material. Further, the method includes sealing the doped getter material within a device. Moreover, the method includes applying heat to the doped getter material to cause the doped getter material to emit a doped gas for deposition on internal surfaces of the device.
Oxide-based doping of evaporable getter
Systems and methods for oxide-based doping of an evaporable getter are described herein. In certain embodiments, a method includes mixing a first getter material with a second getter material to create a mixed getter material. The method also includes mixing an oxide dopant with the mixed getter material to create a doped getter material. Further, the method includes sealing the doped getter material within a device. Moreover, the method includes applying heat to the doped getter material to cause the doped getter material to emit a doped gas for deposition on internal surfaces of the device.