Optical Frequency Comb Resonator Gyroscope for Kerr Bias Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Resonator fiber optic gyroscopes using narrow linewidth lasers are susceptible to the optical Kerr effect, leading to power loss and inefficiency in signal detection due to nonlinear optical phenomena, which can render signals undetectable after propagation.
Innovation Solution
An interferometric resonator optical gyroscope utilizing an optical frequency comb generator to split optical signals into two paths through an optical resonator, with phase modulation and adaptive locking to resonance frequency modes, enabling interference-based rotation rate determination and reducing bias errors from the Kerr effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If narrow linewidth laser sources are used to generate optical signals in RFOGs, then the rotation rate measurement capability is maintained, but the optical signals become susceptible to the optical Kerr effect causing power loss and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spectral parameter of the optical source from narrow linewidth laser to broadband optical frequency comb. This parameter change allows the system to maintain rotation rate measurement capability while avoiding the optical Kerr effect that causes power loss in narrow linewidth lasers, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and energy loss.
2Device complexity
If narrow linewidth laser sources are used in RFOGs, then the optical signal generation is simplified, but the power efficiency is reduced due to the optical Kerr effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from narrow linewidth laser parameters to broadband optical frequency comb parameters. Although this increases device complexity slightly, it dramatically improves power efficiency by eliminating the optical Kerr effect, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and power efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If narrow linewidth lasers are used to propagate optical signals through the optical resonator, then the signal generation is straightforward, but the signals may lose so much power that they become undetectable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical signal parameters from narrow linewidth to broadband frequency comb. This change ensures that signals maintain sufficient power levels after propagation through the optical resonator, making them detectable and reliable, while still maintaining ease of operation in signal propagation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves power efficiency and detection accuracy by maintaining frequency lock with resonance modes, reducing bias errors, and enhancing signal-noise ratio through tunable optical frequency combs, particularly beneficial for small photonics chip designs.
Implementation Method 1
an optical frequency comb generator configured to generate an optical signal, the optical signal being representative of an optical frequency comb
Implementation Method 2
The signals output by the optical resonator may be frequency-shifted due to the Sagnac effect when the RFOG experiences a rotation about its sense axis
Implementation Method 3
determine an extent of interference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal
Implementation Method 4
at least one optical coupler, the at least one optical coupler being configured to split the optical signal into a first optical signal and a second optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An interferometric resonator optical gyroscope includes an optical frequency comb generator configured to generate an optical frequency comb. Optical signals representative of the optical frequency comb pass through an optical resonator in different directions, and a rotation rate is determined based on the extent of interference between the optical signals. Parameters of the optical frequency comb generator can be controlled by a control servo based on an intensity of the optical signals after propagating in the optical resonator. Utilizing an optical frequency comb generator reduces the bias error during gyroscope operation.