Optical gyro with free space resonator and method for sensing inertial rotation rate

摘要

Methods and apparatus are provided for a low cost optical gyro with a free space closed optical path. A ring resonator comprises a substrate and reflectors formed or placed on the substrate. The reflectors comprise a closed optical path and are configured to direct each of first and second light beams in a different counter-propagating direction in the closed optical path. Each of the first and second light beams frequencies are tuned to the resonance frequency of the resonator in the direction of propagation for which the light beam is circulating in the closed optical path.