Abstract: A fiber optic gyroscope for measuring a rotation rate of an object. The gyroscope includes a light source for generating a light beam and a bidirectional coupler for receiving and forwarding the light beam. A splitter splits the light beam forwarded from the coupler into a first beam and a second beam. A fiber optic coil receives the first and second beams and a phase modulator adjusts the phase of the first and second beams. A signal processor determines the rotational rate of the gyroscope based on the phase difference between the first and second beams. A drive circuit drives the phase modulator to adjust the phases of the first and second beams if the rotation rate of the gyroscope exceeds a certain threshold.

Abstract: An air cooled, flash lamp pumped, solid state laser device wherein heating devices are disposed on the laser rod at both ends to heat and temperature stabilize the laser rod. The solid state, laser rod is longer than the arc length of the flash lamp. The ends of the laser rod can be heated directly by winding heating wire, such as Nichrome, around each end or by applying heat through thermal conductive supports. A feedback loop is provided to maintain temperature of the solid state laser rod, which is preferably Alexandrite, within a desired range of 80.degree. C. to 120.degree. C.