Design and laboratory tests of a Doppler Asymmetric Spatial Heterodyne (DASH) interferometer for upper atmospheric wind and temperature observations

Abstract

We describe the design, fabrication and laboratory tests of a Doppler Asymmetric Spatial Heterodyne (DASH) interferometer for upper atmospheric wind and temperature observations of the O[1D] 630 nm emission. The monolithic interferometer has no moving parts, a large étendue, relaxed fabrication and alignment tolerances and can measure multiple emission lines simultaneously. Laboratory measurements indicate that the design resolution and étendue were achieved and that thermal drifts can be determined with sufficient precision for geophysical applications.