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Experimental results from an airborne static Fourier transform imaging spectrometer
Yann Ferrec1, Jean Taboury, Hervé Sauer
1Onera (Office National d’Études et de Recherches Aérospatiales), Chemin de la Hunière, BP 80100, F-91123 Palaiseau Cedex, France. yann.ferrec@onera.fr
Applied Optics
|October 22, 2011
Summary
A new airborne Fourier transform spectral imager was developed. While spectral resolution met expectations, signal-to-noise ratio was limited by jitter and other factors, requiring further solutions.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Remote Sensing
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Fourier transform spectral imagers are valuable for remote sensing.
- Airborne platforms require compact, robust, and efficient instrumentation.
- Static Fourier transform spectral imagers offer advantages in stability and efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a high étendue static Fourier transform spectral imager for airborne applications.
- To assess the performance of the imager in terms of spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratio.
- To identify limitations and propose solutions for improving airborne spectral imaging.
Main Methods:
- Development of a compact, robust Michelson interferometer-based Fourier transform spectral imager.
- Acquisition of experimental airborne images in the visible spectral domain.
- Implementation of a processing chain to convert raw data to hyperspectral images.
Main Results:
- The developed imager demonstrated spectral resolution close to theoretical expectations.
- Signal-to-noise ratio was found to be limited by phenomena including jitter, elevation fluctuations, and parasitic images.
- Airborne spectral images were successfully acquired and processed.
Conclusions:
- The static Fourier transform spectral imager is suitable for airborne use, achieving good spectral resolution.
- Parasitic images, jitter, and elevation fluctuations are key limitations affecting signal-to-noise ratio.
- Further research is needed to mitigate these limitations and optimize airborne spectral imaging performance.
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