Sagnac effect

What is the definition of Sagnac effect?

Represents the change in effective distance that light travels in a closed circuit when the circuit undergoes rotation or a change in orientation.

The Sagnac effect is used in optical gyroscopes by sending two beams of light in opposite directions in a fibre optic coil or mirror directed path. As the device rotates, the beam travelling against the direction of rotation experiences a slightly shorter path delay than the other beam. The difference in phase shift (see interferometry) between the two beams is then used to estimate the rate of rotation.

What are the applications for Sagnac effect?

• Autonomous Systems
• Autonomous Agriculture
• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Defence
• Marine
• Subsea
• Surveying

What other terms are related to Sagnac effect?

• FOG
• Navigation 
• RLG

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