Infrared Fourier spectrometer for airborne and ground-based astronomy

Abstract

A unique high resolving power near-infrared, astronomical Fourier spectrometer has been constructed foruse at both ground-based and airborne telescopes. Its capabilities include a limiting resolution of 0.01 cm(-1) and spectral coverage over the InSb detector sensitivity region (0.8-5.6 microm). The instrument is optimized for operation in environments inaccessible to other high-resolution Fourier spectrometers, namely, the Cassegrain focuses of conventional telescopes and the NASA Kuiper Airborne Observatory's 91-cm telescope. Details of the spectrometer are discussed, and various astronomical and laboratory spectra are presented.