Chiral laser gyroscopes breaking the lock-in limit

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Mao, Yuan-Hao; Xu, Ji-Peng; Ji, Hong-Teng; Yang, Li-Tian; Tan, Zhong-Qi; Quan, Yu-Chuan; Pu, Tao; Shao, Wei; Hu, Jun-Quan; Huang, Ran; Nori, Franco; Jing, Hui
• 署名单位: Information Support Force Engineering University; Army Engineering University of PLA; National University of Defense Technology - China; Peking University; Peking University; RIKEN; National University of Defense Technology - China; Hunan Normal University
• 刊物名称: NATURE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0028-0836; 1476-4687
• DOI: 10.1038/s41586-026-10684-4
• 发表日期: 2026-06-25
• 关键词: RING-LASER

摘要

Ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs) measure rotation via the Sagnac effect: a slight difference in the frequency of the two counter-propagating beams within the resonator. However, at low rotation rates, an intrinsic limitation in RLGs, known as the lock-in phenomenon, counteracts this effect, precluding the widespread adoption of RLGs as motion sensors. Past efforts to avoid this phenomenon include mechanical dithering1 and magneto-optic non-reciprocity techniques2. Such techniques require external components that limit the miniaturization of RLGs. Here we present a self-biased method that overcomes this limitation through chiral spontaneous symmetry breaking and nonlinear frequency pulling in a He-20Ne RLG without inserted elements. Supported by a theoretical model that reveals phase transition conditions with spontaneous symmetry breaking and the dynamics of bistable chiral states, our experiments demonstrate deterministic chirality switching synchronized with rotation direction. Remarkably, the chiral RLG has a linear frequency response at near-zero rotation rates, achieving an open-loop bias instability of 2.2 & times; 10-2 degrees per hour at a 10 s integration time. Our work presents a strategy for the development of all-solid-state, high-precision and miniaturized laser gyroscopes, which could be used for the exploration of the interplay of nonlinear dynamics and spontaneous symmetry breaking in photonic systems.