Abstract: A method of making a readout mirror for a ring laser gyroscope comprises forming an optical substrate component that includes a lower surface, a first upper surface portion substantially parallel to the lower surface, and a second upper surface portion angled with respect to the lower surface; performing a coarse polish of the second upper surface portion; forming an optical part having a first surface; performing a super polish of the first surface of the optical part; applying a first beam splitter layer to the super polished first surface of the optical part, to produce a beam splitter side of the optical part; and bonding the beam splitter side of the optical part, using an optical adhesive, to the coarse polished second upper surface portion of the substrate component, to produce a reflector member. The reflector member is configured to reduce external cavity light scattering in the ring laser gyroscope.

Abstract: A multilayer mirror comprises a reflector section including a plurality of alternating layers of a high index material and a low index material, and a filter section over the reflector section. The filter section comprises a first filter layer including a low index material on a layer of high index material of the reflector section; a second filter layer on the first filter layer, the second filter layer comprising a high index material that is different than the high index material in the reflector section; and a third filter layer on the second filter layer, the third filter layer comprising a low index material. Each filter layer has an optical thickness greater than or equal to the optical thickness of each layer of the alternating layers. The filter section substantially blocks ultraviolet (UV) energy, thereby preventing UV energy from substantially impinging on the high index material of the reflector section.

Abstract: Systems and methods for embodiments having an extra thick ultraviolet durability coating are described herein. For example, a system may include a laser block assembly. The system may also include a cavity in the laser block assembly. Further, the system may include a plurality of multilayer mirrors in the cavity. In certain embodiments, at least one multilayer mirror of the plurality of multilayer mirrors may include a plurality of alternating layers of a first optical material having a high index of refraction and a second optical material having a first low index of refraction. Additionally, the at least one multilayer mirror may include a multilayer durability coating disposed on the plurality of alternating layers.

Abstract: A multilayer mirror comprises a reflector section including a plurality of alternating layers of a high index material and a low index material, and a filter section over the reflector section. The filter section comprises a first filter layer including a low index material on a layer of high index material of the reflector section; a second filter layer on the first filter layer, the second filter layer comprising a high index material that is different than the high index material in the reflector section; and a third filter layer on the second filter layer, the third filter layer comprising a low index material. Each filter layer has an optical thickness greater than or equal to the optical thickness of each layer of the alternating layers. The filter section substantially blocks ultraviolet (UV) energy, thereby preventing UV energy from substantially impinging on the high index material of the reflector section.

Abstract: Systems and methods for embodiments having an extra thick ultraviolet durability coating are described herein. For example, a system may include a laser block assembly. The system may also include a cavity in the laser block assembly. Further, the system may include a plurality of multilayer mirrors in the cavity. In certain embodiments, at least one multilayer mirror of the plurality of multilayer mirrors may include a plurality of alternating layers of a first optical material having a high index of refraction and a second optical material having a first low index of refraction. Additionally, the at least one multilayer mirror may include a multilayer durability coating disposed on the plurality of alternating layers.

Abstract: A ring laser gyro uses electrodes plated with a high corrosive resistant material to extend the life of the ring laser gyro. The material creates an environment that will prevent degradation of the ring laser gyro cathode and the mirrors which in turn will lengthen the life of a ring laser gyro.

Abstract: A ring laser gyro uses electrodes plated with a high corrosive resistant material to extend the life of the ring laser gyro. The material creates an environment that will prevent degradation of the ring laser gyro cathode and the mirrors which in turn will lengthen the life of a ring laser gyro.

Abstract: Plasma is placed in ring laser gyro blocks to create laser beams for the operation of the ring laser gyro. The plasma is doped with a small portion of material that allows the ring laser gyro to operate for a long period of time.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the run current in a ring laser gyro includes circuitry for sensing temperature, supplying a current to the ring laser gyro and controlling the current supplied to the ring laser gyro and the current varies depending on the temperature. The current changes at predetermined temperature points.

Abstract: In an ring laser gyro, a path length modulation signal is applied to an amplifier with two gain levels and the amplifier's output is added to a path length transducer drive signal that changes the gyro's path length. When a path length reset signal is produced, the higher gain signal is selected and maintained for a short interval after the reset signal.

Abstract: A output mirror with a substrate that is doped with a radiation stabilizing material is used to reduce the adverse effects of long periods of exposure to radiation. The output mirror is capable of maintaining its transmissive characteristics when exposed to radiation and is used in radiation environments.

Abstract: A method performed during the processing of a ring laser gyro (RLG) will produce a long life in the RLG. The method includes filling the RLG with a gas mixture. A current is discharged within the RLG which will create certain reactions to condition the RLG for a long life.

Abstract: Mirrors are tested separately at different distances to plasma in separate ring laser gyros. Testing mirrors a predetermined distance away from plasma in the gyros allows accelerated testing of the environment of the mirrors in gyros. The test results are graphed to also allow prediction of ring laser gyro life.

Abstract: An integrator in a ring laser gyro that produces an output for changing the path length is reset synchronously with a gyro dither signal to reduce gyro errors from the dithering operation during the reset.

Abstract: A screening method for a ring laser gyro capable of more accurately predicting the gyro's angular random walk upon completion of the built process is disclosed. A strong correlation exists between the angular random walk and a scale factor pulling term. Scale factor pulling is equivalent to the scale factor deviation measured at two rotational rates plus a positive scale factor correction term and is indicative of the effect of lockin on the scale factor. This screening method allows the removal of high ARW units from the production line at a point early on in their processing. By removing these gyros at this point in processing, unnecessary production steps and unnecessary value added operations are eliminated.

Abstract: A control method is disclosed which extends random drift improvement control to operation at high input rates. Traditional RDI control fails at high input rates due to the diminishing amplitude of the SBS; therefore, the control is lost. The present invention continuously samples the RDI control position and holds this RDI control position at its last previously recorded optimum value while the ring laser gyroscope is subjected to high input rates.

Abstract: The pseudo-random-bit sequence generators are clocked by separate clock signals of different frequency. The two pseudo-random-bit sequence generator outputs are logically combined by an exclusive-or gate to provide a pseudo-random-bit sequence generator which, when converted to analog signal has improved white noise characteristics.

Abstract: A path length control driver apparatus includes a base plate having a first central member having first and second opposite ends, a first outer rim membr and a first flexible annular diaphragm area having first and second opposite sides. The first flexible annular diaphragm area is between and integral with the first central member and the first outer rim member. A central axis passes centrally through the first and second opposite ends of the first central member. A first piezoelectric ceramic material has first and second opposing sides and the first side of the first piezoelectric ceramic material is rigidly affixed to the first flexible annular diaphragm area's first side. A second piezoelectric ceramic material has first and second opposing sides and the first side of the second piezolectric ceramic material is rigidly affixed to the first flexible annular diaphragm area's second side.