Ring Resonator Laser Locking for Miniaturized Optical Gyroscopes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inertial measurement units (IMUs) face challenges in miniaturization and laser frequency stability, leading to inaccuracies in navigation systems, particularly when GPS signals are unavailable.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a ring resonator in optical gyroscopes for laser stabilization, using a weak value amplification technique that locks the laser frequency to the resonance frequency of the ring resonator, eliminating the need for an external cavity and enhancing precision through improved signal-to-noise ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional laser stabilization methods using external cavities are used, then laser frequency stability is improved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaser frequency stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the laser stabilization function with the ring resonator that is already part of the optical gyroscope system. The ring resonator serves dual purposes: as the sensing element for rotation detection and as the reference cavity for laser frequency stabilization. This eliminates the need for a separate external stabilization cavity, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining frequency stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ring resonator is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the rotation sensing interferometer and the frequency reference cavity for laser stabilization. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to achieve laser frequency stability without adding separate stabilization components, thus reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional laser stabilization methods using external cavities are used, then laser frequency stability is improved, but the size of the IMU increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaser frequency stabilityVSAvoidIMU size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization cavity is merged with the gyroscope's ring resonator structure. By using the same ring resonator for both rotation sensing and frequency reference, the patent eliminates the need for additional external cavities, thereby maintaining compact IMU size while achieving laser frequency stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The frequency stabilization function is nested within the existing ring resonator structure of the optical gyroscope. The ring resonator contains both the sensing interferometer and the reference cavity functions, creating a nested functional arrangement that minimizes overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Measurement precision

If weak value amplification technique is used, then measurement precision is improved, but signal processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation measurement precisionVSAvoidsignal processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs weak value amplification which relies on creating a small phase shift through the Sagnac effect that is then amplified through interference patterns. The technique uses the natural oscillatory nature of light waves in the ring resonator to achieve amplification, converting a small rotation-induced phase shift into a measurable intensity variation without requiring complex active signal processing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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

This approach achieves precision improvements of one or two orders of magnitude in rotation measurement, reducing sources of error noise and enabling miniaturized IMUs suitable for tactical and aeronautics navigation.

Implementation Method 1

modifying the light at the weak value device using the ring resonator to form return light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

generating light at the laser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 3

The controlled motion of light through microscale waveguides and interferometers can serve as a stable platform for sensitive gyroscope and inertial measurement unit (IMU) measurements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSagnac effect: Sagnac Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20260022937A1Control of laser frequency in an optical gyroscope with a ring resonator

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 DRS NETWORK & IMAGING SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

Photonic devices and methods for operation thereof are disclosed. A photonic device may include a laser configured to generate light. The photonic device may also include a weak value device having a ring resonator. The weak value device may receive the light from the laser and modify the light using the ring resonator to form return light. The photonic device may further include a stabilizing structure configured to generate a tuning signal based on the return light and control one or both of the laser or the ring resonator using the tuning signal to lock a frequency of the laser to a resonance frequency of the ring resonator.