Pressure-equalized self-compensating discharge configuration for

Abstract

A triangular ring laser gyroscope having a single anode, single cathode, and self-compensating discharge path which cancels gyro bias, bias drift, and noise. The discharge path extends from the anode through a cross channel in the center of the gyro block to the cathode. Counter-propagating laser beams traverse one segment of the discharge path in the direction of the Langmuir flow from anode to cathode, and another segment of the discharge path of equal length in a direction opposite to that flow. The Langmuir return flow from cathode to anode occurs along the walls of the gyro cavity, producing a more uniform gas flow velocity in the central region of the discharge path. Drag effects on the counter-propagating laser beams are equal but opposite, and the laser beams traverse a more uniform region of the Langmuir flow when thermally-induced changes in the gyro cause beam wandering. Gyro bias, bias drift, and noise are substantially cancelled.