Effect of 60Co-gamma radiation on the random walk error of interferometric fiber optic gyroscopes

Abstract

Two 60 Co-gamma radiation experiments were launched to explore the radiation effect on optical components and interferometric fiber optic gyroscope (IFOG). In optical components radiation experiment, the result showed that polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber coil loss was the most affected parameter in all the RWC (random walk coefficient) related parameters, compared with the weak sensitivity of other components parameters. In the IFOG radiation experiment, the RWC performance degradation was found to be almost due to an increase of the PM fiber attenuation. Based on the experiment result, a RWC prediction model in radiation, which is obtained by embedding PM fiber loss expression into the RWC model, was built following a power law of dose and dose rate. An IFOG RWC in space radiation environment was predicted from radiation dose and dose rate by the RWC prediction model. This RWC value calculated from test data is fully accorded to the RWC value predicted from radiation dose. fiber optic gyroscope, radiation effects, random walk, fiber loss Citation:Jin J, Wang X Q, Song N F et al. Effect of 60 Co-gamma radiation on the random walk error of interferometric fiber optic gyroscopes.

Effect of radiation-induced color centers absorption in optical fibers on fiber optic gyroscope for space application

“…Moreover, RWC is an important parameter of optical fiber gyro static index, which determines the minimum of the gyro testing phase shift. The RWC of the closed-loop operational IFOG with π/2 modulation phase can be expressed as [5] RWC = λ c 2πLD…”

“…[3,4] Furthermore, it affects the performance of the IFOGs in space environment. [5] The smaller optical power received by the photodetector resulting from the RIA can cause the degradation of random walk coefficient (RWC). In Ref.…”

光纤陀螺用保偏光纤的辐射效应研究

“…Scott et al have measured the cross talk in ECore fibers and observed that the h parameter remained constant throughout the irradiation [8] . RIA in PM optical fiber, which can lead to a decrease of the optical power incident on the detector in IFOG [9] , and further result in the decrease of sensitivity [10] , is a significant factor that must be addressed. However, little information on the RIA in PM fibers for IFOG is available in literature, particularly for the state-of-the-art PM fibers made in China.…”