UIUC Seminar October 20, 2004
4:00 p.m., 151 Everitt Lab

The Ring Laser gyroscope

SPEAKER: Joseph (Joe) Killpatrick

ABSTRACT:
Today this gyroscope is the means of stabilization and guidance on virtually 100% of the world's commercial airliners. The basic operation of the device depends upon the theory of general relativity and uses the laser to measure effective time differences of 10-24 seconds. The laser is used to convert this small time difference to a measurable frequency shift between two lasers with an accuracy of less than 0.01 hertz. How this instrument is designed and used will be described. The development has posed several physics and engineering challanges. It is remarkable how such a device has virtually replaced the old "spinning wheel" gyroscopes.

BIOGRAPHY:
Joe was born in Hillsboro IL, went to high school at Carbondale, IL . He attended Millikin U in Decatur and graduated from the Uof IL in 1955 in EE with highest honors (bronze tablet). He has taken graduate work at U of Minnesota.

His career started at Honeywell in Minneapolis, MN. There he worked on such tasks as the Electrostatic gyro with advanced control concepts. He lead a laser group in the early 60's which built the world's 3rd gas laser. His group developed the laser gyroscope starting in 1963. With the first production contract in 1980 the gyro's sucess was achieved. In the years following, development has continued resulting in smaller, more accurate and lower cost units.

Today the gyros are used in a wide range of applications including aircraft, ship, and space craft guidance and control. Joe has recieved many national and international awards including the Elmer E Sperry award for contributions to transportation. He holds 45 patents (most concerning the RLG) After working at Honeywell for 44.5 years he retired at the end of 1999 as Chief Scientist. He lives in Mimmeapolis MN with his wife of 49 years. They have three children (all married), one of which lives in Washington, IL.

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