Angular velocity measurement with fiber optic interferometer

This thesis deals with general theoretical description, design and construction of sensor of angular velocity based on Sagnac interferometer, or interferometric fiber-optic gyroscope. The theoretical part is focused firstly on explanation of basic principles and finding important formulas. Secondly, some state-of-the-art configurations of the fiber-optic gyroscope and their differences are analysed. Limiting factors and parasitic effects are also described. Attention is also paid to properties and suitability of particular optical components. The practical part especially deals with an utilization of common low-birefringent optical fiber in an fiber-optic gyroscope. Firstly, some basic properties of components and the simplest configurations of gyroscope were tested. They provided an important knowledge for design of final solution working in an open loop configuration with phase modulation. Further, specific components used in this demonstration sensor and its construction are described in more detail. Designed gyroscope utilizes all-fiber components made of common low-birefringent fiber so this solution is unexpensive. It uses an unpolarized light and depolarizer to ensure stability. Another specificity is a light source using spontaneous emission of erbium-doped fiber. Finally, some basic parameters of designed gyroscope acquired by measurement as well as record of calibration are stated