A field-widened spectrometer-interferometer: back from the past to measure ionospheric-thermospheric energetics

Stanley James Wellard; Christopher J. Mertens

doi:10.1117/12.895344

16 September 2011 A field-widened spectrometer-interferometer: back from the past to measure ionospheric-thermospheric energetics

Stanley James Wellard, Christopher J. Mertens

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8154, Infrared Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XIX; 815403 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.895344
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2011, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Recent broadband observations by the SABER sensor aboard the TIMED satellite hint at intriguing new vibrationrotation excitation and loss processes that occur in the energy dissipation of the ionosphere-thermosphere as it responds to solar storms. To address the questions exposed by the SABER data, SDL's field-widened interferometer has been brought back after three decades to again fly into or above aurorally disturbed atmosphere to gain the data needed to better understand the different processes of ionosphere-thermosphere energetics. The paper discusses the evaluation and design phases (laboratory evaluation, a rocket flight, and a satellite flight) needed to prepare this elegant and unique interferometer to reach its goal of making high resolution (0.5 cm^-1) and wide bandwidth (1300- 8000 cm^-1) measurements of the ionosphere-thermosphere world-wide. Design details of interferometer will be presented along with comparisons between a standard Michelson interferometer and the field-widened sensor to illustrate just how the Bounchareine and Connes field-widened form provides the enhanced performance needed for the new missions. The paper also describes how the improved Inferometer design will leverage advances in modern electronics, detectors, bearing design and software to gain significant improvements in the performance of the upgraded field-widened interferometer-spectrometer when compared to the heritage instrument.

Citation Download Citation

Stanley James Wellard and Christopher J. Mertens "A field-widened spectrometer-interferometer: back from the past to measure ionospheric-thermospheric energetics", Proc. SPIE 8154, Infrared Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XIX, 815403 (16 September 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.895344

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available