OPTICAL GYROSCOPE WITH GAIN MEDIUM AND CIRCULATING LIGHT

Devices and associated methods for measuring orientation using an optical gyroscope are disclosed. One example optical gyroscope includes a spherical component configured to allow propagation of light in one or more confined modes inside the spherical component. The spherical component includes a gain medium for enhancing a sustained confinement of light within the spherical component. The optical gyroscope also includes one or more detectors positioned outside of the spherical component to detect at least one characteristic of the light, or a change thereto, in response to a rotation of the optical gyroscope.