Method for estimating the thermal sensitivity coefficient of a fiber-optic gyroscope loop

Subject of study. This study investigates the thermal sensitivity coefficient of the fiber-optic gyroscope loop. Aim of study. The objective is to develop and validate a method for determining the mechanical and optical components of the temperature coefficient of the scale factor in a fiber-optic gyroscope. Method. The study employs an algorithm for experimentally determining the temperature coefficient of the scale factor in a fiber-optic gyroscope and a computational method for calculating the thermal sensitivity coefficient of the fiber loop. Main results. What we believe to be a novel method for determining the thermal sensitivity coefficient of the fiber loop in a fiber-optic gyroscope has been developed. The experimental findings confirm a dependency between the temperature coefficient of the scale factor in the gyroscope, the temperature coefficient of the mean wavelength spectrum of the output radiation from an erbium-doped superluminescent fiber source, and the thermal sensitivity coefficient of the gyroscope fiber loop. Practical significance. The research findings have practical applications in the development of testing setups and procedures for assessing the temperature coefficients of fiber loops. These results can aid in selecting or categorizing fiber loops during gyroscope manufacturing, adjusting emission source parameters to align with specific fiber loop characteristics for thermal sensitivity coefficient compensation, and minimizing the thermal sensitivity coefficient through innovative fiber loop designs. This is achieved by designing and prototyping novel fiber loop structures.