Integrated-optical components for fiber gyroscopes

Progress in developing a fiber-gyroscope integrated-optical chip is reviewed. Two LiNbO3 channel-waveguide components are described. Excess insertion loss as low as 5.5 dB has been obtained in a double-Y branch and 40 dB sideband suppression has been achieved in a serrodyne frequency translator. Integrated optical circuits which can perform the function of a combination of bulk optical components are of considerable interest for fiber-gyroscope systems. These circuits could be utilized to reduce both system size and complexity as well as to improve system performance. Integrated-optical circuits could include components such as beam splitters, polarizers, intensity modulators, phase modulators and frequency shifters. Here we review recent progress in realizing a fiber-gyroscope integrated-optical chip, including the design and performance of two LiNb03 channel-waveguide components, a double-Y branch and a serrodyne frequency translator.