Cavity element for resonant micro optical gyroscope

There is a need for an environmentally rugged, inertial based attitude and navigation control system with performance in the 10 degree/hr range but with an ultimate performance goal of 1 degree/hr. This non-GPS based system must withstand accelerations in the 3000 G range with a wide spectrum of vibrations. Optical gyros have good performance to size ratio and are insensitive to vibrations, acceleration, and are capable of handling a large range of rates. Cost, however, has been a limitation to wide use of optical gyros. Previous attempts using waveguides as the cavity have been limited by the performance of the waveguide, modulators, couplers, and the injection laser. However, telecommunications and optical computing developments have driven performance of the major components needed for a waveguide gyro. These improvements make a waveguide based gyro feasible. Honeywell and the University of Minnesota have been making significant strides toward a feasible resonant micro optic gyro (RMOG). Uniquely crucial components have been developed. Experimental measurements, when coupled with theoretical analysis predicts that 1 degree/hour performance can be achieved. This paper reports the results of the work conducted to date