Theory of nonlinear Sagnac effect

Abstract

A nonlinear wave interaction is considered as a technique to increase the rotation sensitivity of the ring laser. The gyroscopic scale factor K is calculated in an active laser gyro with a dispersive medium. K is in reverse proportion to the group index n*= n + vdn/dv of the medium. In a monolithically-integrated GaAs ring laser, the value K 5000 is obtainable (radius 1 cm) in a linear case. In the presence of a strong wave, the dynamic nonlinear anomalous dispersion can provide an increase of K by 10-100 times in the vicinity of critical points where n*passes zero. An expression of K is derived for the nonlinear Sagnac effect. The nonlinear dispersion is discussed in terms of "slow/fast" light. © 2008 Association of Polish Electrical Engineers.