Hollow cathode glow discharge ring laser angular rate sensor

摘要

A ring laser angular rate sensor construction utilizes an anode-cathode configuration which generates a glow discharge region in the propagation path of the laser beams. The anode-cathode construction provides a hollow cathode and effect for a ring laser. Specifically the ring laser block incorporates a tubular cavity which forms in part a cathode. A slot is provided into the block to provide an electrically insulated anode to produce the hollow cathode effect and the generation of counter-propagating laser beams.