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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).