Exact optical path difference and complete performance analysis of a spectral zooming imaging spectrometer

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Spectroscopy
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Dual Wollaston prisms (DWP) are key components in optical systems.
• Understanding their optical path difference (OPD) is crucial for spectrometer design.
• Previous models may have limitations in describing DWP performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To derive accurate OPD equations for DWPs with adjustable air gaps (AG).
• To investigate the performance of a novel static birefringent Fourier transform imaging spectrometer (SBFTIS) utilizing DWPs.
• To establish a theoretical foundation for advanced birefringent spectral zooming imaging spectrometers.

Main Methods:

• Wave normal tracing method used for deriving OPD equations.
• Analysis of spatial OPD distribution for varying AG.
• Experimental verification of OPD equations using interferograms.
• Performance evaluation of the SBFTIS.

Main Results:

• Accurate OPD equations for DWPs with adjustable AG derived.
• Spatial OPD distribution mapped for different AG.
• Experimental validation confirms the accuracy of the derived OPD equations.
• The novel SBFTIS demonstrates adjustable spectral resolution and a large field of view (10.0°).

Conclusions:

• The derived OPD equations provide a comprehensive optical transmission characteristic for DWPs.
• The SBFTIS performance shows significant improvement, particularly in field of view.
• This work lays the groundwork for developing high-performance birefringent spectral zooming imaging spectrometers.