Abstract: In a thin film micro-optic gyroscope (MOG) (10) a waveguide resonator structure (14) has an optical transmission path formed within a surface of a substrate (12). In one embodiment the path includes a predetermined amount of dopant (12a) for providing regenerative gain to radiation of a predetermined wavelength propagating through the path. The dopant is provided at a predetermined concentration and is substantially uniformly distributed throughout the path. By example, the substrate is comprised of neodymium-doped glass. A pump source is optically coupled to the path for exciting the dopant to emit radiation, the pump source providing radiation at a wavelength of approximately one-half of the predetermined wavelength. For the example of neodymium-doped glass the predetermined wavelength is 1.06 microns.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for tuning an optical gyroscope, such as a MOG, to an operating frequency within a predetermined range of operating frequencies. The method includes an initial step of providing a compound resonator structure having a first optical waveguide resonator [16] optically coupled to a laser [14]. There is also provided a second optical waveguide resonator [18] optically coupled to the first resonator. The second resonator is constructed to extract a significant amount of energy from the first resonator when a coresonance frequency condition exists with the first resonator and to extract an insignificant amount of energy from the first resonator when a coresonance frequency condition does not exist. The method includes a step of varying an output frequency of the laser to a first frequency where a coresonance frequency condition exists.

Abstract: The laser gyro includes a laser and a ring resonator. Apparatus is provided for coupling counter-propagating beams of light from the laser into the resonator. The frequency of the laser is scanned across the resonance frequency of the resonator in steps superimposed on a dc level. The intensity of light in one of the counter-propagating beams is detected during each of the steps and the difference in intensity of the detected light is determined. The difference in the intensity of the detected light is used to alter the dc level of the steps so as to drive the difference to zero. The intensity of light in the other of the counter propagating beams is detected during each of the steps and the difference in intensity is also detected. This difference is indicative of the rotation rate of the gyro.

Abstract: A passive ring resonator laser gyro includes a thin film, passive waveguide adapted to provide a closed, substantially circular propagation path for optical signals. Couplers are provided for coupling coherent optical signals in opposite directions in the waveguide. Frequency controllers for each of the counter-rotating optical signals are adapted to adjust the frequencies of the respective signals in the waveguide to achieve resonance along the optical path encountered by each of the signals. Detectors provide signals representative of the frequency shifts of the two counter-rotating optical signals in the waveguide. These signals are nulled by servos which apply correcting frequencies to the frequency controllers. A difference network generates a rate signal corresponding to the difference in frequency between the signals applied to the controllers. The rate signal is representative of the angular rotation rate of the waveguide.