Use of computer simulation to characterize interferometer performance

Abstract

Computer simulation has become a useful tool in the design, testing, and evaluation of Michelson-type interferometric spectrometers. Although the general characteristics of these instruments can be evaluated using standard textbook algorithms1 ,2 it is difficult to estimate spectral accuracy for non-ideal instruments experiencing one or multiple operational perturbations. Relatively simple computer simulation techniques enable display of recovered spectra for both ideal and multiply-perturbed instruments, thereby affording the evaluator a preview of spectral accuracy as a function of the instrument's design and operating parameters.