Quasi-anti-parity–time-symmetric single-resonator micro-optical gyroscope with Kerr nonlinearity

Abstract

Parity–time (PT) and quasi-anti-parity–time (quasi-APT) symmetric optical gyroscopes have been proposed recently which enhance Sagnac frequency splitting. However, the operation of gyroscopes at the exceptional point (EP) is challenging due to strict fabrication requirements and experimental uncertainties. We propose a new quasi-APT-symmetric micro-optical gyroscope which can be operated at the EP by easily shifting the Kerr nonlinearity. A single resonator is used as the core sensitive component of the quasi-APT-symmetric optical gyroscope to reduce the size, overcome the strict structural requirements and detect small rotation rates. Moreover, the proposed scheme also has an easy readout method for the frequency splitting. As a result, the device achieves a frequency splitting 105 times higher than that of a classical resonant optical gyroscope with the Earth’s rotation. This proposal paves the way for a new and valuable method for the engineering of micro-optical gyroscopes.