Abstract:
The invention is a method and apparatus for determining the phase difference of light waves (31) after propagating through each of one or more two-path pairs, a two-path pair being two optical transmission paths connecting a common entry point (25) to a common exit point (29). Coherent light pulses (27) of predetermined duration are fed into the entry point (25) of each two-path pair in a group of two-path pairs at predetermined time intervals, the pulse duration being subdivided into a plurality of predetermined time segments. The phase difference for each two-path pair is determined from amplitude values of the electrical signal.
Abstract:
Three sets of laser angular sensors (14, 15, 16) corresponding to three angularly disposed sensing planes (11, 12, 13) are mounted on a common instrument block (10) and each provided with mechanical dithering devices (14a, 15a, 16a) for inducing an oscillatory mechanical motion to substantially cancel lock-in. A compensating mass (21) is mounted on the same instrument block (10) and indicates a selective controllable mechanical dithering device (21a). Dithering the compensating mass at an appropriately selected amplitude, frequency, and phase automatically compensates for dither interaction (coning) between the three sensors (14, 15, 16).