Progress of Waveguide Ring Resonators Used in Micro-Optical Gyroscopes

Abstract

Micro-optical gyroscopes (MOGs) are a type of high-accuracy gyroscope, which have the advantages of miniaturization, low cost, and satisfactory operating power. The quality factor (Q) of the waveguide ring resonators (WRRs) is very important to the performance of MOGs. This paper reviews various MOGs using WRRs made from different materials, including silica, indium phosphide, calcium fluoride, and polymer WRRs. The different architectures of the MOGs are reviewed, such as double-ring resonator MOGs and multiple-ring resonator MOGs. Candidate high-Q WRRs for MOGs, including silicon nitride, lithium niobite, calcium fluoride, and magnesium fluoride WRRs, are also reviewed. The manufacturing process, Q, and integration density values are compared. Summarizing the advanced WRRs and calculating the shot-noise-limited sensitivity are helpful processes in selecting suitable materials to fabricate MOGs.