Resonator integrated optic gyro based on multilevel laser frequency lock-in technique

Abstract

The resonator integrated optic gyros (RIOGs) based on the Sagnac effect have gained extensive attention in navigation and guidance systems due to their predominant advantages: high theoretical accuracy and simple integration. However, the problems of losing lock and low lock-in accuracy are the bottlenecks, which restrict the development of digital RIOGs. Therefore, a multilevel laser frequency lock-in technique has been proposed in this Letter to address these problems. The experimental results show that lock-in accuracy can be improved one order higher and without losing lock in a variable temperature environment. Then, a digital miniaturized RIOG prototype (18  cm × 18  cm × 20  cm) has been produced, and long-term (1 h) bias stability of 26.6 deg/h is successfully demonstrated.