Optical sensors using stimulated brillouin scattering

摘要

A method for enhancing a sensitivity of an optical sensor having an optical cavity counter-propagates beams of pump light within the optical cavity to produce scattered light based on Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS). The properties of the pump light are selected to generate fast-light conditions for the scattered light, such that the scattered light includes counter-propagating beams of fast light. The method prevents the pump light from resonating within the optical cavity, while allowing the scattered light to resonate within the optical cavity. At least portions of the scattered light are interfered outside of the optical cavity to produce a beat note for a measurement of the optical sensor. The disclosed method is particularly applicable to optical gyroscopes.

主权项

1. A method for enhancing a sensitivity of an optical sensor having an optical cavity, the method comprising:
counter-propagating beams of pump light within the optical cavity to produce scattered light based on Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS), wherein properties of the pump light are selected to generate fast-light conditions for the scattered light, such that the scattered light includes counter-propagating beams of fast light; preventing the pump light from resonating within the optical cavity, while allowing the scattered light to resonate within the optical cavity; and interfering at least portions of the scattered light outside of the optical cavity to produce a beat note for a measurement of the optical sensor.