Abstract: A super-radiant light source having an output with a low temporal coherence well suited, for example, to optical inertial sensor applications, includes a single mode optical waveguide such as an optical fiber having its core doped with an active laser material, such as neodymium. Pump light is coupled into the optical fiber at an intensity sufficient to produce a significant amplification of the spontaneous emission. The reflectivity at the exit end of the fiber is low enough so that even with a high gain for the light in one traverse through the fiber, the fiber is operated well below threshold for laser oscillation. The resulting emission is of high intensity, but has a low temporal coherence. In one form, the pump light is coupled into one end of the fiber and a dichroic filter is interposed in the light path between the pump light and the optical fiber to pass pump light into the core and reflect the spontaneous emission of the active material back into the core and toward the output.

Abstract: A laser excited molecular beam time and frequency standard utilizing a first electromagnetic beam at a first preselected frequency to excite a molecular beam at a first preselected point along the beam in order to produce fluorescence. A second electromagnetic beam (produced from either a different electromagnetic source than utilized to produce the first beam or produced from a portion of the first beam) at a second preselected frequency excites the molecular beam at a second preselected point along the beam to produce fluorescence. By locking the frequency of the first and second electromagnetic beams to specific resonant frequencies, a time and frequency standard can be produced.

Abstract: A laser stimulated Raman molecular beam time and frequency standard utilizing a first electromagnetic beam at a first preselected frequency to pump a molecular beam at a first preselected point along the beam to state select the beam. A second electromagnetic beam (produced from either a different electromagnetic source than utilized to produce the first beam or produced from a portion of the first beam) at a second preselected frequency and a third electromagnetic beam at the first frequency simultaneously pump the molecules of the state selected molecular beam at a second point along the beam in a stimulated Raman process. By locking the frequency difference of the first and second electromagnetic beams to a specific resonant frequency, a time and frequency standard can be produced.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring inertial rotation is provided which includes a passive ring, a means for generating two beams of monochromatic electromagnetic radiation, means for passing the beams into the passive ring to form two countertravelling beams and means adapted to lock the beams entering the passive ring to the cavity resonant frequencies of the countertravelling beams. The amount and direction of inertial rotation is determined by determining the frequency of the beams entering the passive ring effected by the locking means and the frequency shift of the countertravelling beams resulting from the inertial rotation of the passive ring.