Stimulated brillouin ring laser gyroscope with optical frequency offset of counterpropagating pump laser signals

Abstract

A disk resonator is pumped by counterpropagating pump signals to produce corresponding counterpropagating Brillouin laser signals. The pump laser optical frequencies are separated by a frequency offset Δνbut excite the same nominal resonator optical mode; the Brillouin laser optical frequencies are separated by a beat frequency Δνwith 0<Δν<Δν. A photodetector receives the Brillouin laser signals and produces an electrical signal at the beat frequency Δν. The frequency offset Δνcan be large so enough to prevent locking of the Brillouin laser signals onto a common Brillouin laser frequency. A signal processing system derives from the beat frequency Δνan estimated angular velocity component of the disk optical resonator about an axis substantially perpendicular to the disk optical resonator.