Spatial heterodyne interferometry (SHI) is a spectral measurement technique based on Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FTS). One main benefit of an FTS lies in its higher spectral resolving power over direct measurement (dispersive) systems; however, accessing this higher resolving power can result in longer measurement times without heterodyning techniques. In this paper, the calibration and modeling of a polarization SHI is detailed, based on the Jones matrix formalism. With this, we explore non-ideal aspects of the polarization grating, such as zero-order light leakage. This light leakage causes crosstalk that can introduce errors in the spectral calibration. To minimize error, a calibration procedure is introduced based on a linear operator theory. Finally, the Jones matrix model and calibration procedure are validated through a series of experiments.

Date Published: 27 September 2013
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 8873, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing VI, 88730Q (27 September 2013); doi: 10.1117/12.2024104

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8873:
Polarization Science and Remote Sensing VI
Joseph A. Shaw; Daniel A. LeMaster, Editor(s)