On possibility of using the lowest odd harmonics of the phase modulation frequency in the output signal of the fiber-optic ring interferometer for detection of the sagnac effect

The possibility of using the lowest harmonics of the phase modulation frequency in the output signal of the fiber-optic ring interferometer (FRI) for detection of the FRI rotation angular velocity is considered. It is shown that the use of the third harmonic of the phase modulation frequency is optimal, since, in this case, the effect of insignificant admixture of the second harmonic of the phase modulation frequency on the FRI baseline shift can be completely eliminated. When processing the signal using the first or the fifth harmonic of the phase modulation frequency, it is possible to compensate for the FRI baseline shift because of its weak dependence on the phase modulation amplitude. Upon processing of the FRI output signal using higher odd harmonics of the phase modulation frequency, the signal-to-noise ratio noticeably decreases.