Development of a Step-Scan Fourier Transform Spectrometer With sub 1/2 HeNe Wavelength Step Size

在主要研究仪器（MRI）项目的支持下，蒙大拿州立大学化学和生物化学系的Lee H. Spangler和他的同事将开发一种新的步进扫描FT光谱仪的镜面控制方法，该方法仍然使用氦氖激光作为参考波长，但允许步进尺寸远小于氦氖波长的一半。由于自由光谱范围与步长成反比，这种发展将使自由光谱范围增加一倍到三倍，并允许FT光谱仪在步进扫描模式下覆盖整个有用的光学范围（紫外到远红外）。在步进扫描模式下跨越HeNe频率的能力对使用该仪器进行时间分辨光谱的任何人都有潜在的好处。这些研究人员采用的方法与现有的仪器兼容，并显示出商业可行性的希望。主要研究人员与工业界建立了牢固的伙伴关系，这将促进这种商业化。

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, Lee H. Spangler and colleagues in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Montana State University will develop a new method of mirror control in a step-scan FT spectrometer that will still utilize a helium-neon laser as the reference wavelength, but will allow step sizes much smaller than half the HeNe wavelength. Because the free spectral range is inversely proportional to the step size, this development will double to triple the free spectral range and permit the FT spectrometer to cover the entire useful optical range (ultraviolet to far infrared) in the step scan mode. The ability to span the HeNe frequency in step scan mode is potentially beneficial to anyone using this instrumentation for time resolved spectroscopy. The approach to be undertaken by these investigators is compatible with existing instrumentation and shows promise of commercial viability. The principal investigators have a strong partnership with industry, which should facilitate this commercialization.