The field of the invention is that of solid-state laser gyros used in
inertial control units. However, there are certain technical difficulties
in producing laser gyros of this type that are due partly to the fact
that the counterpropagating waves interfere with each other in the
amplifying medium. A laser gyro according to the invention comprises at
least one solid-state amplifying medium and an optical ring cavity
comprising first optical means for imposing a first linear polarization
state common to the two counterpropagating optical waves at the entrance
and exit of the zone containing the amplifying medium and second optical
means for imposing, within the amplifying medium, a second linear
polarization state on the first optical wave and a third linear
polarization state on the second optical wave, these polarization states
being perpendicular. Thus, all the drawbacks associated with interference
are eliminated.