Abstract: A new concept of gyroscope utilizing self-modulation is introduced in a frame of a solid state ring type laser. The inventive solid state ring laser system includes a base, a laser pumping source, an active medium, a focussing unit, a detector, a magnet and a cover, wherein the magnet having an appropriate magnetic field strength to distinguish the direction of rotation and to increase the sensitivity. In the inventive gyroscope, a direct sensing of rotation is made by measuring the self-modulation frequency without complex signal processing by using a frequency counter.

Abstract: Laser beam apodizers using cholesteric liquid crystals provides soft edge profile by use of two separate cholesteric liquid crystal mixtures with different selective reflection bands which in an overlap region have a gradient index where reflectivity changes as a function of position. The apodizers can be configured as a one-dimensional beam apodINTRODUCTIONThe U.S. government has rights in the invention under Contract No. DE-FC03-85DP40200 between the University of Rochester and the Department of Energy.