Dataset for "Chiral laser gyroscopes breaking the lock-in limit"

An intrinsic limitation in ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs), known as the lock-in phenomenon, causes signal extinction at low rotation rates, which has been a fundamental challenge for decades. Previous efforts to avoid this “lock-in” include mechanical dithering and magneto-optic non-reciprocity techniques, requiring external components that limit the wider application and miniaturization of RLGs. Here, we present a self-biased method that overcomes this limitation through chiral spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) and nonlinear frequency pulling in a He-Ne²⁰ RLG without inserted elements. Equipped with a comprehensive theoretical model that reveals phase transition conditions with SSB and the dynamics of bistable chiral states, our experiments demonstrate deterministic chirality switching synchronized with rotation direction. Remarkably, the chiral RLG exhibits a linear frequency response at near-zero rotation rates, achievingan open-loop bias instability of 2.2×10−2 deg/h at a 10-second integration time. Our work establishes a foundation for the development of all-solid-state, high-precision and miniaturized laser gyroscopes, providing a new framework for exploring the interplay of nonlinear dynamics and SSBin photonic systems.