Development of an Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer

This disseration establishes the feasibility of an Infrared Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (IRIFTS) and describes the development of a working prototype. The IRIFTS is a measurement system which can simultaneously acquire spatial, spectral and temporal IR radiance information. The theory of the involved components is presented, a more general half-angle obliquity limit is derived for the Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS), and the theoretical feasibility of the concept is shown. Commercially available components were acquired, interfaces were constructed and a one dimensional (spatial) imaging FTS system prototype was assembled. Results are presented depicting the operation of the system.