Dispersive Fourier transform spectroscopy with gases in the visible region

Abstract

The method of dispersive Fourier transform spectroscopy (DFTS) with gases in the visible wavenumber range is described in detail and compared with the method of scanning-wavelength interferometry (SWI). Measurements of the dispersion of the complex refractive index of gases can be performed successively in several minutes using the same apparatus and gas sample conditions for both methods. In the reported experiments with CH 4 a very simple mirror drive was used. Nevertheless, reasonable results are obtained for the dispersion of the real refractive index of CH 4 in the wavenumber range 16,000 ⩽ σ ⩽ 23,000 cm −1.