Compact High-Performance Laser Gyro

The rotation sensitivity of a conventional optical Inertial Navigation System (INS)depends on the area enclosed by a circular optical path. Hence, it is impossible to significantly reduce the device size without sacrificing its sensitivity. Recent work showed that certain non-linear optical effects (fast light) can be used to increase the sensitivity of a ring laser gyro of a given size by orders of magnitude. We propose a portable high-performance all-fiber laser gyroscope. The device will utilize fast light produced by the Stimulated Brillouin Scattering in single-mode fibers. Fast light enhancement will enable reduction of the device size without decreasing its performance level. The fast light enhanced gyroscope will empower a rugged, compact, low-cost high-sensitivity INS ideal for precision guiding of UAVs, and other aircrafts.