Compact Passive Laser Gyroscope Feasibility Investigation.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the feasibility of a new passive laser gyro configuration. This new configuration consists of one small laser and five external mirrors, three of which make up the resonant cavity. A resonant cavity analysis was first done to determine the light wave propagation characteristics of a three mirror resonant ring. Error analysis was then used to determine the effects of various error sources on the output rotation rate measurements. Finally the actual gyro was designed, built and tested. Rotation rate measurements were taken along with noise and long term bias drift measurements. Rotation measurements were taken from 0.1 degsec to 1.0 degsec with an RMS output noise of approximately 0.005 degsec. Long term bias drift measurements showed a bias drift, over a 30 minute period, of 0.03 degsec. Based on these measurements it was concluded that the new configuration is feasible. Author