Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for facilitating ionization of a gas medium of a laser gyroscope. The apparatus and method employ a solid state light emitting device as a start aid for the laser gyroscope. The solid state light emitting device has a wavelength at or below a threshold wavelength based on a work function of a cathode coating material to prompt ionization of a gas medium within the laser gyroscope.

Abstract: An NMR gyroscope in one example comprises a support structure affixed within an enclosure, an NMR cell affixed to the support structure, a plurality of permanent magnets disposed about the NMR cell to produce a magnetic field within the cell, and a field coil disposed proximate the cell to produce a modulated magnetic field transverse to the magnetic field produced by the permanent magnets.