摘要 |
The invention relates to a laser rotation rate sensor wherein two light beams counterrotate in a polygon equipped with reflectors at its corners, a signal being derived from their frequency difference in dependence on the rate of rotation. The rotation rate sensor comprises a reflector designed and operated as a magneto-optic element for the suppression of lock-in and including a prism whose base boundary face is disposed adjacent a layer of a gyrotropic material, the reflector being designed in such a manner that total reflection occurs. In the laser rotation rate sensor, the index of refraction of the gyrotropic material is approximately equal to or greater than that of the prism; a further layer of a dielectric material is disposed adjacent the gyrotropic layer, which further layer has a smaller index of refraction than the prism material and the material of the gyrotropic layer, in such a manner that total reflection occurs at the interface between the layer of gyrotropic material and the further layer.
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