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Reference.org
Ring laser gyroscope
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<p>A ring laser gyroscope (RLG) consists of a <a href="/facts/Ring_laser/pwToTIP0">ring laser</a> having two independent counter-propagating resonant modes over the same path; the difference in phase is used to detect rotation. It operates on the principle of the <a href="/facts/Sagnac_effect/hJyJy1vz">Sagnac effect</a> which shifts the nulls of the internal standing wave pattern in response to angular rotation. <a href="/facts/Interference_(wave_propagation)/lI5f78I4">Interference</a> between the counter-propagating beams, observed externally, results in motion of the standing wave pattern, and thus indicates rotation. </p>