Design for a Fully Multiplexed Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer

Abstract

As described in recent publications1,2, the development of a new approach to multiplexed imaging is underway at the Naval Postgraduate School. The technique is expected to find a niche in sensitive astronomical and remote-sensing applications at long wavelengths (far infrared to submillimeter), particularly from high altitude aircraft and space-based platforms. At such wavelengths, various physical and technological constraints limit the development of focal plane array detectors, but single element, discrete detectors are available. The new multiplexed imaging method is called Kronecker product imaging (KPI), and it shares several attributes that are closely allied to the techniques of Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTS). Furthermore, it has been intended from the outset that KPI and FTS instrumentation can be easily combined into a hybrid, completely multiplexed imaging spectrometer, capable of both high spectral resolving power and fine spatial image resolution simultaneously.