Challenges in passive resonant miniature optical gyroscope based on integrated optics technologies

By combining the requirements on the angular random walk and the bias stability of an optical passive resonant gyroscope, we end up with simple expressions of its minimum diameter and the maximum power it should be probed with. These design parameters depend only on the propagation losses, the mode size and the Kerr properties of the cavity material. We applied these results to passive miniature resonant optical gyroscope based on state-of-the-art performances of photonic integrated circuit and whispering gallery mode technologies. We show that tactical grade gyroscope performances can be achieved with a diameter of a few cm provided the detrimental influence of the Kerr effect is mitigated using, for instance, an active control of the unbalance in the intensities. We further extend the analysis to medium performance gyroscope and give some hints on the efforts to be made to potentially demonstrate a miniature resonant optical gyroscope with this level of performance.

Automated summary

This article investigates the design parameters of optical passive resonant gyroscope and applies them to the latest photonic integrated circuit and miniature resonant gyroscope mode technologies. By mitigating the influence of the Kerr effect through controlling the unbalance intensity, tactical grade gyroscope performance can be achieved.