Peng Feng, Li Chuang, Yang Jun, Hou Chengcheng, Zhang Haoliang, Yu Zhangjun, Yuan Yonggui, Li Hanyang, Yuan Libo
Appl Opt. 2017 Jul 10;56(20):5614-5619. doi: 10.1364/AO.56.005614.
We propose a dual-channel measurement system for evaluating the optical path symmetry of an interferometric fiber optic gyro (IFOG) coil. Utilizing a bidirectional distributed polarization measurement system, the forward and backward transmission performances of an IFOG coil are characterized simultaneously by just a one-time measurement. The simple but practical configuration is composed of a bidirectional Mach-Zehnder interferometer and multichannel transmission devices connected to the IFOG coil under test. The static and dynamic temperature results of the IFOG coil reveal that its polarization-related symmetric properties can be effectively obtained with high accuracy. The optical path symmetry investigation is highly beneficial in monitoring and improving the winding technology of an IFOG coil and reducing the nonreciprocal effect of an IFOG.
