Abstract
Fourier-transform imaging spectrometers offer important advantages over other spectral imaging modalities, such as, a wider free spectral range, higher spectral resolutions and, in low-photon-flux conditions, higher signal-to-noise ratios can be achieved. Unfortunately, for application in harsh environments, deployment of Fourier-transform instruments based on traditional moving-mirror interferometers is problematic due to their inherent sensitivity to vibration. We describe a new Fourier-transform imaging spectrometer, based on a scanning birefringent interferometer. This system retains the advantages of traditional Fourier transform instruments, but is inherently compact and insensitive to vibration. Furthermore, the precision requirements of the movement can be relaxed by typically two orders of magnitude in comparison to a traditional two-beam interferometer. The instrument promises to enable application of Fourier-transform imaging spectrometry to applications, such as airborne reconnaissance and industrial inspection, for the first time. Example spectral images are presented.
Highlights
It is widely appreciated that Fourier-transform spectrometry offers important advantages over other techniques
It is natural that Fouriertransform spectrometry has been developed for two-dimensional spectral imaging in which the spectra for all pixels within a two-dimensional scene are recorded in parallel to form a spectral image cube of the scene [1]
Fourier transformation of the interferograms yields the spectrum of the light at each pixel, enabling a spectral data cube to be generated from the recorded interferogram cube
Summary
It is widely appreciated that Fourier-transform spectrometry offers important advantages over other techniques. There are two major difficulties in applying this technique outside of the controlled conditions of an optical laboratory: The mirror movement is required to scan the moving mirror with an accuracy and precision of better than λ/20 (that is, better than 20 nm for blue light) This is difficult to achieve in the laboratory without sophisticated, high-cost mechanical components and servo-controlled movements or additional laser interferometers and associated signal processing [6]; in harsh environments obtaining the required performance is a major challenge.
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