Ring Laser Gyroscope Components

Ring laser gyroscopes from G&H are deployed in commercial aircraft, missiles, satellites, and other military vehicles. Vertical integration enables us to supply the entire ring laser gyroscope package: RLG frame and optical components. Our integration of capabilities delivers superior performance and streamlines sourcing.

There are many components within the ring laser gryoscope (RLG) – each performs unique functions and is optimized accordingly.

The Zerodur® frame must deliver maximal stability over a large range of operating environments (namely, temperature, humidity, and environmental composition). We have 40 years of experience producing high-quality, consistent, Zerodur® frames.

Flat, wedged, and curved mirrors used in RLGs are superpolished with surface roughness better than 1 Å RMS with high-reflectivity low-loss IBS coatings designed to survive extreme environmental conditions.

Precision beam splitters, prisms, and wedges complete the assembly.

Extensive metrology capabilities are critical to the abilities of G&H to meet and exceed difficult specifications.

• Zygo® ZeMapper™ for surface roughness and structure <1 Å
• OGP® CMM for geometrical tolerances down to sub-micron features
• 18” Zygo® Interferometer measures flatness up to 1/50th wave

Applications

GPS, hyperspectral imaging, infrared microscopy, laser scanning microscopy, metrology, optical failure analysis for semiconductor processing, range finding, reconnaissance, surveillance, target identification, targeting and designating, thermal imaging.

Specifications	Zerodur® Frames	RLG Mirrors	RLG Beam combiners	RLG Prisms & Wedges
Substrate materials	Zerodur®	Fused Silica,Zerodur®,	Fused Silica	Fused Silica
Sizes	1 mm - 500 mm	1 mm - 500 mm	1 mm - 500 mm	1 mm - 500 mm
Surface roughness	< 1Å	< 1Å	< 1Å	< 1Å
Wavefront distortion	1/50thwave at 633 nm	1/50thwave at 633 nm	1/50thwave at 633 nm	1/50thwave at 633 nm
Dimensional tolerance	Sub-micron	Sub-micron	Sub-micron	Sub-micron
Angular tolerances	< 1 Arc second	< 1 Arc second	< 1 Arc second	< 1 Arc second
Clear aperture dimensions	Up to 500 mm	Up to 500 mm	Up to 500 mm	Up to 500 mm
Reflectivity	n/a

Actual specifications are dependent upon design, geometry, and material choices.

G&H facilities are certified to ISO9001 and AS9100: 2009 Rev.C. ITAR designs are available. (ITAR controlled facility).