Polarization properties in a prism laser gyro with mechanical dither bias

Abstract

Theoretical analysis and experimental research on the polarization properties of output light in gyro are carried out to investigate the phenomenon that the amplitude of an output voltage signal is modulated by dither bias in laser gyros consisting of totally reflecting prisms. Taking the effect of prism stress birefringence into account, an analytical formula of the output light intensity in the gyro and the relationship between the polarization parameter and the amplitude modulation of the output signal are obtained and discussed. For the first time, the polarized power value of the output light is adopted as a basis to estimate the output signal amplitude fading extent of laser gyros. Experimental results demonstrate that when the value of polarized power of output light is below 25.5% of that in ideal static case, the standard error is over 0.0337 dBm, and the displacement extent of the prism is higher than 53% of the radius of the beam waist in the gyro cavity, the amplitude modulation extent of gyro output signal can reach up to 16%, which badly influences the measurement accuracy of the laser gyro. Using this polarized power detecting measurement method can repair the gyro immediately during its fabrication process, improve the testing and production efficiency and shorten the product development cycle.