Resonant cavity dither with index of refraction modulator

摘要

A laser gyro having a laser source for providing laser energy includes a laser gain device for receiving lasing energy and generating first and second counterpropagating laser pulses along a common optical path. A detector detects at least one of the pulses and generates an index of refraction control signal representative of the detected at least one laser pulse. The index of refraction of a segment of the optical path is varied in response to the index of refraction control signal such that the index of refraction of the segment of the optical path changes an optical path length for one of the laser pulses. A detector senses the beatnote between the first and second counterpropagating laser pulses.