High-information time-resolved step-scan Fourier interferometer

The adaptation of a high-resolution stepping-mode Connes-type interferometer to the study of timevarying phenomena is described. Solutions that can be used to solve the problem of the limited dynamic range of the measurements involved in time-resolved experiments at high spectral resolution are proposed. To handle the millions of temporal and spectral samples, computer programs based on a matrix formalism and graphic techniques have been developed. A computer simulation of a timeresolved Fourier transform spectroscopy (TRFTS) experiment of a systematic study of the problem posed by the limited dynamic range of the measurements is presented. Advantages and inherent difficulties of the step-by-step TRFTS are reviewed.