Reduced phase error of a fiber optic gyroscope using a polarization maintaining photonic crystal fiber

We report the first measurement of the polarization crosscoupling of a 900-m length of quadrupolar-wound sensing coil for the fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) using polarization maintaining photonic crystal fibers (PM-PCFs). The crosscoupling is analyzed with the Optical Coherence Domain Polarimeter (OCDP). Also the polarization extinction ratio (PER) of the PM-PCF coil is measured. For comparison, a standard panda fiber coil with nearly the same length is examined. The results show that PER of the PM-PCF coil is ∼10 dB larger than the panda fiber coil, and polarization crosscoupling in the PM-PCF coil is ∼10 dB less than in the panda fiber coil. Moreover, based on measurements, a 4-fold reduction in phase error is demonstrated numerically in a FOG made of the PM-PCF coil, compared to the same gyro operated with a similar coil of panda fiber. These findings have important benefits in a higher measurement precision and stability of FOG.

► We first measure the polarization crosscoupling in a PM-PCF coil with the OCDP.
► PER of the PM-PCF coil is ∼10 dB larger than the panda fiber coil.
► Polarization crosscoupling in PM-PCF coil is ∼10 dB less than in panda fiber coil.
► A 4-fold reduction in phase error is demonstrated in a FOG made of the PM-PCF coil.
► Using PM-PCFs can reduce zero-point drift of gyroscopes.