Recirculating etalon spectrometer

US9846079B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA · US

Inventors

• Mark A. Stephen · Catonsville, US
• Molly E. Fahey · Washington, US
• Michael A. Krainak · Fulton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 23, 2016
• Grant date: Dec 19, 2017
• Expiry date: Jun 23, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B5/284
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices may provide an optical scheme that achieves simultaneous wavelength channels and maintains the resolution and luminosity of an etalon. Various embodiments may provide a method to optically recirculate the light reflected from the etalon back through the same etalon at new angles. Various embodiments create an etalon spectrometer based on angular dispersion without moving parts and without losing the light that is not initially transmitted. Various embodiments may provide a spectrally-resolved receiver and/or transmitter. Various embodiments may provide a system including a retro-reflector, a detector or transmitter array, and an etalon disposed between the retro-reflector and the detector or transmitter array, wherein the retro-reflector is configured to redirect light reflected by the etalon back to the etalon at a different angle of incidence than an original angle of incidence on the etalon of the light reflected by the etalon.