Acousto-optic imaging spectropolarimetry for remote sensing

• Published in: Applied optics (2004) Vol. 33; no. 31; p. 7412
• Main Authors: Glenar, D A, Hillman, J J, Saif, B, Bergstralh, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.1994
• ISSN: 1559-128X; 2155-3165
• DOI: 10.1364/AO.33.007412

We review the operating principles of noncollinear acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTF's), emphasizing the use of two orthogonally polarized beams for narrow-band imaging. Spectral characterization and spectral broadening measurements of commercially available AOTF's agree with theoretical predictions and reveal difficulties associated with imaging noncollimated light. An AOTF imaging spectropolarimeter for ground-based astronomy that uses CCD's has been constructed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. It uses a TeO(2) noncollinear AOTF and a simple optical relay assembly to produce side-by-side orthogonally polarized spectral images. We summarize the instrument design and initial performance tests. We include sample spectral images acquired at the Goddard Geophysical and Astronomical Observatory.