Abstract
We describe the development of a waveguide Fourier-transform spectrometer for space-borne high-resolution sensing. A prototype device is designed to monitor the water vapor absorption band near 1,364 nm with a resolution of 0.05 nm. It has no moving parts and is based on a unique concept of arrayed interferometers implemented in silicon-on-insulator planar waveguide chip. The optical input is formed by many independent waveguides, providing a significantly increased light gathering capability (étendue) compared to single-waveguide input configurations. Enhancements of the spectrometer capabilities are achieved by stacking planar waveguide layers and by using surface gratings to couple light into the waveguides.
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Abbreviations
- FT:
-
Fourier transform
- MMI:
-
Multi-mode interference
- MZI:
-
Mach–Zehnder interferometer
- SHOW:
-
Spatial heterodyne observations of water
- SHS:
-
Spatial heterodyne spectroscopy
- SOI:
-
Silicon-on-insulator
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Florjańczyk, M., Alonso-Ramos, C., Bock, P. et al. Development of a Fourier-transform waveguide spectrometer for space applications. Opt Quant Electron 44, 549–556 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-012-9596-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-012-9596-6