Abstract: A stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) ring laser gyroscope. The SBS laser gyroscope is fabricated from a single-mode optical fiber waveguide and is optically coupled to a laser to accommodate being pumped in two directions by laser radiation having sufficient energy to induce stimulated Brillouin scattering radiation (SBS). The apparatus includes means for extracting a portion of each of the SBS radiation from the single-mode optical fiber waveguide and superimposing the extracted portions to permit detection of a beat frequency therebetween. The beat frequency detected is indicative of the rate of angular rotation of the area circumscribed by the single-mode optical fiber waveguide. Means are provided to accommodate a significant reduction in the required laser pumping power.

Abstract: A laser gyroscope for determining rotation of an area circumscribed by two closely adjacent optical fiber waveguides which serve as double laser cavities. Laser oscillation is restricted to one direction only in each optical fiber waveguide with the direction of oscillation in each waveguide being opposite to that in the adjacent optical fiber waveguide. Fractional parts of the laser radiation from the laser oscillation in each optical fiber waveguide are superimposed to develop a beat frequency therebetween which is proportional to the angular rotation of the area circumscribed by the two optical fiber waveguides.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining rotation of an area including optical apparatus for optically circumscribing the area and to guide laser radiation counter-directionally around the circumscribed area. Differences that develop between the clockwise and counterclockwise laser radiation as a function of the rotation of the area are detected to determine the rotation of the area. The optical apparatus includes an optical fiber waveguide which may function as a laser cavity or a ring inferometer path. The ring inferometer may also be provided by at least three reflective surfaces.