Far-Infrared double-Fourier interferometers and their spectral sensitivity
Abstract
Double-Fourier interferometry is the most viable path to sub-arcsecond spatial resolution for future astronomical instruments that will observe the universe at far-infrared wavelengths. The double transform spatio-spectral interferometry couples pupil plane beam combination with detector arrays to enable imaging spectroscopy of wide fields, that will be key to accomplishing top-level science goals. The wide field of view and the necessity for these instruments to fly above the opaque atmosphere create unique characteristics and requirements compared to instruments on ground-based telescopes. In this paper, we discuss some characteristics of single-baseline spatio-spectral interferometers. We investigate the impact of intensity and optical path difference noise on the interferogram and the spectral signal-to-noise ratio. We apply our findings to the special case of the Balloon Experimental Twin Telescope for Infrared Interferometry (BETTII), a balloon payload that will be a first application of this technique at far-infrared wavelengths on a flying platform.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1507.03961,
title = {Far-Infrared double-Fourier interferometers and their spectral sensitivity},
author = {Maxime J. Rizzo and Lee G. Mundy and Stephen A. Rinehart and Arnab Dhabal and Dale J. Fixsen and Roser Juanola-Parramon and Dominic J. Benford and David T. Leisawitz and Robert F. Silverberg and Todd J. Veach},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1507.03961},
year = {2016}
}