Patent ID: 9097526
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: G01C,G02F

Abstract:
1. A polarization matched resonator fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG), the gyroscope comprising: a first light source; a fiber optic ring resonator coupled to the first light source; a first photodetector coupled to an output of the fiber optic ring resonator, where the first photodetector outputs an electrical signal that varies as a function of optical intensity measured by the first photodetector; and a first input light polarization servo; wherein the fiber optic ring resonator is coupled to the first light source via the first input light polarization servo such that a light beam from the first input light polarization servo is launched into the fiber optic resonator ring in a first direction of circulation; wherein the first input polarization servo comprises a birefringence modulator that modulates a phase shift between two components of an input polarization state of the light beam at a modulating frequency ω wherein the first input polarization servo further comprises a tunable ½ waveplate that adjusts an amplitude of the two components of the input polarization state relative to each other, wherein the tunable ½ waveplate is controlled to maximize a peak optical intensity as measured in the electrical signal.