Miniature imaging spectrometer based on an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF)

Abstract

In this paper we present an experimental system of miniature imaging spectrometer based on Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter (AOTF). The operating principle of AOTF and the properties of imaging spectrometer based on AOTF are introduced. The configuration of the AOTF device incorporated to the imaging spectrometer is described and the measured performance of the filter is summarized. The single beam configuration of the AOTF device and the utilization of a CMOS imaging IC as the focal plane sensor make the optics of the system very small, simple and compact. The power compensating circuit design of the RF driver of the acousto-optic cell ensures relatively high and consistent diffraction efficiencies over the whole tuning range of the filter. Qualitative experiments are carried out in laboratory. Results of the experiments preliminarily illustrate the capability of the miniature AOTF imaging spectrometer in hyperspectral remote sensing application.