Research/Patents/US 4674881
US 4674881

OPEN LOOP THIN FILM LASER GYRO

Assignee

NORTHROP CORPORATION

Filed

Apr 25, 1984

Granted

Jun 23, 1987

Location

WALPOLE MA US

Abstract

The laser gyro includes a laser and a ring resonator. Apparatus is provided for coupling counter-propagating beams of light from the laser into the resonator. The frequency of the laser is scanned across the resonance frequency of the resonator in steps superimposed on a dc level. The intensity of light in one of the counter-propagating beams is detected during each of the steps and the difference in intensity of the detected light is determined. The difference in the intensity of the detected light is used to alter the dc level of the steps so as to drive the difference to zero. The intensity of light in the other of the counter propagating beams is detected during each of the steps and the difference in intensity is also detected. This difference is indicative of the rotation rate of the gyro.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Imposed

Feb 4, 1986

Rescinded

May 20, 1986

Duration

3 months

Inventor

  • 1ANTHONY W. LAWRENCE

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Back to patent indexSource: USPTO 35 USC §181 secrecy order records