Dynamic alignment design and assessment for scanning interferometers

Norman H. Macoy; Hal Broberg; Jean Giroux; Martin Chamberland

doi:10.1117/12.258879

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21 November 1996 Dynamic alignment design and assessment for scanning interferometers

Norman H. Macoy; Hal Broberg; Jean Giroux; Martin Chamberland

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Proceedings Volume 2832, Optical Instruments for Weather Forecasting; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.258879
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

Misaligned interferometer cavity optics introduce into the retrieved spectra multiplicative noise terms. Low frequency or static tilts convey a moderate impact on system performance and are manifested as amplitude distortion of the reconstructed spectrum, through a reduction of the instrument line shape function, while dynamic tilts convey a strong impact on system performance manifested as radiometric errors through a multiplicative noise term. Dynamic alignment which is an electromechanical feedback control technique of the interferometer cavity optics eliminates some extremely exacting design and fabrication requirements and provides safety margin for thermally or vibrationally induced structural distortions. Employing both coherent and incoherent radiation, several optical or electro-optical sub aperture and full aperture measurement techniques have been employed to determine the static and dynamic alignment characteristics of a customized brassboard Bomem, Inc. instrument. The unit evaluated was configured as an adaptation of their commercial DA-2 unit and employed galvanometric alignment actuators with amplitude reduction mechanical linkages.

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Norman H. Macoy, Hal Broberg, Jean Giroux, and Martin Chamberland "Dynamic alignment design and assessment for scanning interferometers", Proc. SPIE 2832, Optical Instruments for Weather Forecasting, (21 November 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.258879

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