China develops new fibre-optic gyroscope that can withstand a range of temperatures
The new gyroscope comprises hollow air-core fibers instead of solid ones which makes the instrument better suited for harsh environments like outer space or deep-sea exploration.
A team of Chinese scientists has reportedly developed a new fibre-optic gyroscope that is stable across a wide range of temperatures. The development could prove crucial for military, deep-sea, or space navigation, where satellite signals can be blocked or are unreliable. Gyroscopes are critical pieces of equipment used in navigation of planes, ships, submarines, and oil rigs.
A gyroscope measures orientation and rotation. Simply put, it tells you which way you’re pointing, moving or how you’re turning without the need for GPS or satellites. To this end, you can think of it like an extremely accurate internal compass and turn tracker.
Modern high-precision gyroscopes use solid optical fibers that bend light to measure movement. However, these fibers are easily affected by heat, radiation, and magnetic fields, especially in extreme environments.