Fourier transform spectrometer with a self-scanning photodiode array

Abstract

A Fourier transform spectrometer with no mechanical moving parts is described. The interferogram is generated spatially by a triangle common-path interferometer and is detected by a self-scanning photodiode array. The spectrum is reconstructed by fast Fourier transform in a microcomputer system. Since no moving part is used and a common-path interferometer is employed for simple, stable, and easy alignment, this spectrometer may be built in a relatively small size and with moderate cost. The self-scanning photodiode array as a multichannel detector may lead this spectrometer to the application to time-resolved spectroscopy. The optical throughput is much larger than that of a multichannel dispersion-type spectrometer, because in the system neither a slit nor an aperture is necessary. The emission spectra of a low pressure mercury lamp and a LED are shown to demonstrate the system performance.