A scanning Fabry-Perot transmission filter composed of a pair of dielectric mirrors has been demonstrated at millimeter
and sub-millimeter wavelengths. The mirrors are formed by alternating quarter-wave optical thicknesses of silicon and
air in the usual Bragg configuration. Detailed theoretical considerations are presented for determining the optimum
design. Characterization was performed at sub-mm wavelengths using a gas laser together with a Golay cell detector and
at mm-wavelengths using a backward wave oscillator and microwave power meter. High resistivity in the silicon layers
was found important for achieving high transmittance and finesse, especially at the longer wavelengths. A finesse value
of 411 for a scanning Fabry-Perot cavity composed of three-period Bragg mirrors was experimentally demonstrated.
Finesse values of several thousand are considered to be within reach. This suggests the possibility of a compact terahertz
Fabry-Perot spectrometer that can operate in low resonance order to realize high free spectral range while simultaneously
achieving a high spectral resolution. Such a device is directly suitable for airborne/satellite and man-portable sensing
instrumentation.
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