Patent ID: 7535575

Claim:
A ring laser gyroscope that includes a frame, a cavity in the frame, a first anode, a second anode and a cathode arranged to define a gain region in the cavity and to form a plasma extending between the first and second anodes in a gain medium within the gain region, a first mirror well formed in the frame between the first anode and the cathode, a first mirror mounted to the frame adjacent the first mirror well, a second mirror well formed in the frame between the second anode and the cathode, a second mirror mounted to the frame adjacent the second mirror well, the first and second mirror wells being arranged to intersect the cavity, comprising: a first plasma shunt located in the first mirror well and arranged to prevent the plasma from contacting the first mirror; and a second plasma shunt located in the second mirror well and arranged to prevent the plasma from contacting the second mirror.