Optimizing dielectric mirrors for scanning Fabry Perot interferometers with constant spectral resolution

Clinton E. Evans

doi:10.1117/12.566466

9 December 2004 Optimizing dielectric mirrors for scanning Fabry Perot interferometers with constant spectral resolution

Clinton E. Evans

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5578, Photonics North 2004: Photonic Applications in Astronomy, Biomedicine, Imaging, Materials Processing, and Education; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.566466
Event: Photonics North, 2004, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

The scanning Fabry Perot interferometer may be tuned over a considerable spectral waveband by adjusting the gap between the mirrors. However, a wide tuning range places significant demands on the design of the mirror coatings. The coatings should be all-dielectric for low absorption. They must also provide good reflectance and phase control over the tuning range. In general, both the reflectance and the phase-shift on reflection of dielectric mirrors are dispersive. This dispersion, left uncontrolled, changes the spectral resolution of a scanning Fabry Perot interferometer over the operating waveband. The mirror phase dispersion also reduces the free spectral range must be controlled in the design process to achieve operation with a reasonable number of blocking filters. However, some phase dispersion will always be present in the mirror design. It is, therefore, desirable to tune the reflectance dispersion and the remaining phase dispersion so that the combination stabilizes the spectral resolution. This paper describes a suitable optimization method. It takes advantage of some features of the Fabry Perot equations to provide error terms for mirror optimization that target a specific spectral resolution value. The paper includes the theory and provides some numerical examples.

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Clinton E. Evans "Optimizing dielectric mirrors for scanning Fabry Perot interferometers with constant spectral resolution", Proc. SPIE 5578, Photonics North 2004: Photonic Applications in Astronomy, Biomedicine, Imaging, Materials Processing, and Education, (9 December 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.566466

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