Abstract

Polarization and absorption reducing (PANDA) fibers¹ are most suitable for interferometric optical fiber sensors. A superluminescent diode (SLD) emitting light of low coherence has been commonly used as a light source for a fiber gyroscope. Recently a rare-earth-doped fiber amplifier has been studied for optical communication, and a superluminescent fiber (SLF) as its application to a fiber gyroscope has been discussed in some publications.^2,3 The advantages of SLF over SLD are better temperature stability, longer lifetime, and ease in achieving broader bandwidth and higher power. This paper describes the application of an erbium- doped SLF to a fiber gyroscope.

© 1991 Optical Society of America