Theoretical investigation of indium phosphide buried ring resonators for new angular velocity sensors

Abstract

Here, we report the guidelines to be followed to optimize the design of a new angular velocity sensor based on an indium phosphide (InP) ring resonator. Optical properties of InP ring resonators have been investigated together with some significant physical effects for improving the sensor sensitivity. Three-dimensional algorithms have been utilized for the theoretical estimation of the waveguide loss. An optimized waveguide with propagation loss <0.3 dB/cm and a ring resonator with a quality factor of 1.5×10 6 have been designed. Performance of angular velocity sensors based on InP low-loss ring resonators has been estimated and discussed. Resolution of 10 deg/h and bias drift in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 deg/h have been evaluated for a fully integrated optical gyro including an InGaAsP/InP optical cavity having a footprint less than 24 cm 2 .