Large-area fiber-optic gyroscope on a multiplexed fiber network

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Geophysics
• Telecommunications Engineering

Background:

• The Sagnac effect is fundamental to optical gyroscopes.
• Existing fiber-optic gyroscopes often require complex setups.
• Seismic monitoring demands sensitive rotation detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a fiber-optic gyroscope using a multiplexed telecom network.
• To achieve high sensitivity without specialized lasers or optics.
• To explore seismic applications for this novel sensor.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a Sagnac interferometer on a 20 km² telecom fiber loop.
• Utilizing existing internet data traffic infrastructure.
• Achieving a sensitivity threshold of 10⁻⁸ (rad/s)/√Hz.

Main Results:

• Successful realization of a fiber-optic gyroscope on a live telecom network.
• Demonstrated sensitivity comparable to ring laser gyroscopes.
• Potential for coexistence with internet data traffic.

Conclusions:

• A cost-effective and practical fiber-optic gyroscope is feasible using telecom infrastructure.
• This technology offers new possibilities for seismic monitoring and other applications.
• The sensor approaches the performance of more complex and expensive systems.