Alternative configuration for an optical ring resonator angular rate sensor by using a standard laser diode

Abstract

In this work we present an alternative approach to angular velocity optical sensing based on two ring resonators. This configuration can be performed by using a standard laser diode source (0.1 nm, 10000 MHz, FWHM) reaching higher sensitivities when narrow spectral laser sources (1MHz, FWHM) are used. We compare this configuration with the standard single ring resonator angular rate sensor (SRARS) which must use a narrow laser at input. Finally, we conclude that this new approach can also enhance enhance its sensitivity for a larger range (1º/h to 10000 º/h) by coupling high power broad band laser sources, reaching a similar performance as standard SRARS configuration.