Development of high technology readiness level, all-reflective spatial heterodyne spectrometers for high resolving power/etendue remote sensing of extended emissions in the NUV to EUV

Abstract

All reflective spatial heterodyne spectrometers (SHS) are a compact self-scanning Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) device capable of providing line-resolved measurements of wide-field emissions at far greater sensitivity than existing echelle- based instruments at large telescopes. Their use of reflective optical components further enables their use in UV, particularly at wavelengths below 160 nm where options for transmitting elements are few or non-existent. We have been developing advanced prototype SHS instruments that are optimized to provide single-line and broadband performance in the UV. These prototypes do not require large telescopes to achieve sensitivity and are sufficiently compact that can be incorporated in the SmallSat and robotic probes. In this presentation I will describe the basic functionality of the SHS, our previous development, and the progress toward flight-ready instruments that can be incorporated into future mission concepts. All reflective spatial heterodyne spectrometers (SHS) are a compact self-scanning Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) device capable of providing line-resolved measurements of wide-field emissions at far greater sensitivity than existing echelle- based instruments at large telescopes. Their use of reflective optical components further enables their use in UV, particularly at wavelengths below 160 nm where options for transmitting elements are few or non-existent. We have been developing advanced prototype SHS instruments that are optimized to provide single-line and broadband performance in the UV. These prototypes do not require large telescopes to achieve sensitivity and are sufficiently compact that can be incorporated in the SmallSat and robotic probes. In this presentation I will describe the basic functionality of the SHS, our previous development, and the progress toward flight-ready instruments that can be incorporated into future mission concepts.