Cryogenic Servo-Controlled Infrared Fabry-Perot Spectrometer

Howard A. Smith; Jacqueline Fischer; William B. Waltman; Ray W. Russell; Eric R. Wollman; Elise Albert; Frank E. Stuart

doi:10.1117/12.7973469

1 April 1985 Cryogenic Servo-Controlled Infrared Fabry-Perot Spectrometer

Howard A. Smith, Jacqueline Fischer, William B. Waltman, Ray W. Russell, Eric R. Wollman, Elise Albert, Frank E. Stuart

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 24, Issue 2, 242275 (April 1985). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.7973469

Abstract

High resolution infrared spectroscopy obtains fundamental information about the kinematics, composition, and energetics of astronomical infrared sources because it can sort out typical Doppler velocity components and separate adjacent lines from various species. In important cases the instrument having the maximum possible sensitivity for detection is a cryogenic Fabry-Perot spectrometer because it rejects noise from the bright and often flickering background without injecting any radiation. Such an instrument need only be limited by the performance of the best detectors. Coupled to a two-dimensional array, a cryogenic Fabry-Perot can produce spectroscopic infrared images of high quality. We have developed a prototype cryogenic infrared Fabry-Perot spectrometer and have operated it successfully on-site. The system uses a unique optical servo control for reliable sensing of the interferometric surfaces, and electromagnetic voice coil displacement drivers for the large motions needed for flexible operation. The present etalons and detector are optimized for the 4 to 5 Am band. We present a description of the instrument, recent astro-physical results obtained at a telescope, and a summary of development plans. Such a system can be operated from space out to submillimeter wavelengths.

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Howard A. Smith, Jacqueline Fischer, William B. Waltman, Ray W. Russell, Eric R. Wollman, Elise Albert, and Frank E. Stuart "Cryogenic Servo-Controlled Infrared Fabry-Perot Spectrometer," Optical Engineering 24(2), 242275 (1 April 1985). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.7973469

Published: 1 April 1985

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