Patent US4658401A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4658401A
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Thin film passive ring resonator laser gyro
Assignee: NOC (DELAWARE) Corp A CORP OF
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Filing: 1984-03-15
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Granted: 1987-04-14
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Expires: 2004-03-15
Abstract
Abstract Passive ring resonator laser gyro in which the clockwise and counterclockwise beams do not coexist in the resonator. The laser gyro employs thin film technology. In particular, the preferred laser is a gallium aluminum arsenide laser. Light from the laser is phase-modulated by means of a thin film electro-optic modulator comprising a channel waveguide disposed on an electrically active material and flanked by electrodes for modulating the phase of light from the laser. An electro-optic switch is provided for switching light from the laser to inject alternatingly clockwise and counterclockwise beams into the resonator. The resulting gyro is extremely compact and simply implemented into an integrated, thin film package. Because the clockwise and counterclockwise beams do not coexist in the resonator, various beam interaction effects such as beats, backscatter and feedback into the laser are eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph P. Segre
- 👤 John R. Haavisto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/58; G01C19/64; G01C19/72; G01C19/727; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
Thin film laser gyro comprising: a solid state laser; a thin film passive ring resonator; a thin film delivery loop waveguide means evanescently coupled to said resonator to deliver light from said laser into said resonator; a thin film electro-optic switch means to alternatingly inject a clockwise and a counterclockwise beam of light from said laser into said delivery loop; and a thin film electro-optic modulator means to modulate the phase of light from said laser to maintain said clockwise and said counterclockwise beams on resonance independently wherein said electro-optic modulator means comprises a channel waveguide of an electro-optic material with electrodes for modulating the phase of light from said laser.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
Thin film laser gyro comprising: a solid state laser; a thin film passive ring resonator; a thin film delivery loop waveguide means evanescently coupled to said resonator to deliver light from said laser into said resonator; a thin film electro-optic switch means to alternatingly inject a clockwise and a counterclockwise beam of light from said laser into said delivery loop; and a thin film electro-optic modulator means to modulate the phase of light from said laser to maintain said clockwise and said counterclockwise beams on resonance independently wherein said electro-optic modulator means comprises a channel waveguide of an electro-optic material with electrodes for modulating the phase of light from said laser.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrically active material is titanium diffused LiNbO 3 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electro-optic material is zinc oxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
Thin film laser gyro comprising: a solid state laser; a thin film passive ring resonator; a thin film delivery loop waveguide means evanescently coupled to said resonator to deliver light from said laser into said resonator; a thin film electro-optic switch means to alternatingly inject a clockwise and a counterclockwise beam of light from said laser into said delivery loop; and a thin film electro-optic modulator means to modulate the phase of light from said laser to maintain said clockwise and said counterclockwise beams on resonance independently wherein said electro-optic switch comprises a channel waveguide disposed on electrically active material and flanked by electrodes for switching light from said laser to inject alternatingly clockwise and counterclockwise beams into said delivery loop.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
Thin film laser gyro comprising: a solid state laser; a thin film passive ring resonator; a thin film delivery loop waveguide means evanescently coupled to said resonator to deliver light from said laser into said resonator; a thin film electro-optic switch means to alternatingly inject a clockwise and a counterclockwise beam of light from said laser into said delivery loop; and a thin film electro-optic modulator means to modulate the phase of light from said laser to maintain said clockwise and said counterclockwise beams on resonance independently wherein said electro-optic switch comprises a channel waveguide disposed on electrically active material and flanked by electrodes for switching light from said laser to inject alternatingly clockwise and counterclockwise beams into said delivery loop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said electrically active material is titanium diffused LiNbO 3 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
Thin film laser gyro comprising: a solid state laser; a thin film passive ring resonator; a thin film delivery loop waveguide means evanescently coupled to said resonator to deliver light from said laser into said resonator; a thin film electro-optic switch means to alternatingly inject a clockwise and a counterclockwise beam of light from said laser into said delivery loop; and a thin film electro-optic modulator means to modulate the phase of light from said laser to maintain said clockwise and said counterclockwise beams on resonance independently wherein said laser is GaAIAs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
Thin film laser gyro comprising: a solid state laser; a thin film passive ring resonator; a thin film delivery loop waveguide means evanescently coupled to said resonator to deliver light from said laser into said resonator; a thin film electro-optic switch means to alternatingly inject a clockwise and a counterclockwise beam of light from said laser into said delivery loop; and a thin film electro-optic modulator means to modulate the phase of light from said laser to maintain said clockwise and said counterclockwise beams on resonance independently wherein said laser is GaAIAs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
Thin film laser gyro comprising: a solid state laser; a thin film passive ring resonator; a thin film delivery loop waveguide means evanescently coupled to said resonator to deliver light from said laser into said resonator; a thin film electro-optic switch means to alternatingly inject a clockwise and a counterclockwise beam of light from said laser into said delivery loop; and a thin film electro-optic modulator means to modulate the phase of light from said laser to maintain said clockwise and said counterclockwise beams on resonance independently wherein said passive ring resonator is doped plexiglas disposed on a quartz substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
100 words
Thin film laser gyro comprising: a solid state laser; a thin film passive ring resonator; a thin film delivery loop waveguide means evanescently coupled to said resonator to deliver light from said laser into said resonator; a thin film electro-optic switch means to alternatingly inject a clockwise and a counterclockwise beam of light from said laser into said delivery loop; and a thin film electro-optic modulator means to modulate the phase of light from said laser to maintain said clockwise and said counterclockwise beams on resonance independently wherein said passive ring resonator is doped plexiglas disposed on a quartz substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
140 words
Thin film laser gyro comprising: a solid state gallium aluminum arsenide laser; a thin film passive ring resonator; a thin film delivery loop waveguide means evanescently coupled to said resonator to deliver light from said laser into said resonator; a thin film electro-optic switch means to alternatingly inject a clockwise and a counterclockwise beam of light from said laser into said delivery loop, said electro-optic switch comprising a channel waveguide disposed on electrically active material and flanked by electrode means for switching light from said laser; and a thin film electro-optic modulator means to modulate the phase of light from said laser to maintain said clockwise and said counterclockwise beams on resonance independently, said electro-optic modulator comprising a channel waveguide disposed on an electrically active material and flanked by electrode means to modulate the phase of light from said laser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
140 words
Thin film laser gyro comprising: a solid state gallium aluminum arsenide laser; a thin film passive ring resonator; a thin film delivery loop waveguide means evanescently coupled to said resonator to deliver light from said laser into said resonator; a thin film electro-optic switch means to alternatingly inject a clockwise and a counterclockwise beam of light from said laser into said delivery loop, said electro-optic switch comprising a channel waveguide disposed on electrically active material and flanked by electrode means for switching light from said laser; and a thin film electro-optic modulator means to modulate the phase of light from said laser to maintain said clockwise and said counterclockwise beams on resonance independently, said electro-optic modulator comprising a channel waveguide disposed on an electrically active material and flanked by electrode means to modulate the phase of light from said laser.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-04-13 | 1990-10-13 | 1991-04-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-13 | 1994-10-13 | 1995-04-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-13 | 1998-10-13 | 1999-04-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |