Impact of giant resonant dispersion on the response of intracavity phase interferometry and laser gyros

TL;DR

This paper explores how giant resonant dispersion within a laser cavity enhances the sensitivity of intracavity phase interferometry and laser gyros, enabling more precise phase shift measurements through intracavity etalon-induced dispersion.

Contribution

It demonstrates that applying giant dispersion to laser comb teeth significantly alters phase response without affecting average pulse velocity, improving phase sensing sensitivity.

Findings

Achieved a sensitivity of 10^{-8} in phase measurement.

Giant dispersion modifies phase response independently of pulse velocity.

Intracavity etalon effectively introduces large dispersion for enhanced sensing.

Abstract

Intracavity Phase Interferometry is a phase sensing technique using mode-locked lasers in which two intracavity pulses circulate. The beat frequency between the two output frequency combs is proportional to a phase shift to be measured. A laser gyro is a particular implementation of this device. The demonstrated sensitivity of $10^{-8}$ could be manipulated by applying a giant dispersion to each tooth of the comb. Such coupling is achieved with an intracavity etalon, resulting a large change in phase response of a ring laser. This change is shown to be unrelated to the average pulse velocity within the laser cavity.