New technique to measure the cavity defects of Fabry-Perot interferometers

Year: 2019

Authors: Greco V., Sordini A., Cauzzi G., Reardon K., Cavallini F.

Autors Affiliation: CNR, Ist Nazl Ott, Largo E Fermi 3, I-50125 Florence, Italy; Natl Solar Observ, 3665 Discovery Dr, Boulder, CO 80303 USA; INAF Osservatorio Astrofis Arcetri, Largo E Fermi 5, I-50125 Florence, Italy.

Abstract: Context. Several astronomical instruments, for both nighttime and solar use, rely on tunable Fabry–Perot interferometers (FPIs). Knowing the exact shape of the etalons’ cavity is crucial for assessing the overall instrumental transmission profile and its possible variations during the tuning process. Aims. We aim to define and test a technique to accurately measure the cavity defects of air-spaced FPIs, including distortions due to the spectral tuning process that are typical of astronomical observations.We further aim to develop a correction technique to maintain the shape of the cavity as constant as possible during the spectral scan. These are necessary steps to optimize the spectral transmission profile of a two-dimensional spectrograph (polarimeter) using one or more FPIs in series, and to ensure that the spectral transmission profile remains constant during typical observing conditions. Methods. We devised a generalization of the techniques developed for the so-called phase-shifting interferometry to the case of FPI. This measuring technique is applicable to any given FPI that can be tuned via changing the cavity spacing (z-axis), and can be used for any etalon regardless of the coating’ reflectivity. The major strength of our method is the ability to fully characterize the cavity during a spectral scan, allowing for the determination of scan-dependent modifications of the plates. We have applied the measuring technique to three 50mm diameter interferometers, with cavity gaps ranging between 600 m and 3 mm, coated for use in the visible range.
Results. The technique developed in this paper allows us to accurately and reliably measure the cavity defects of air-spaced FPIs, and of their evolution during the entire spectral scan. Our main, and unexpected, result is that the relative tilt between the two FPI plates varies significantly during the spectral scan, and can dominate the cavity defects; in particular, we observe that the tilt component at the extremes of the scan is sensibly larger than that at the center of the scan. Exploiting the capability of the electronic controllers to set the reference plane at any given spectral step, we then develop a correction technique that allows the minimization of the tilt duringa complete spectral scan. The correction remains highly stable over long periods, well beyond the typical duration of astronomical observations.

Journal/Review: ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS

Volume: 626      Pages from: A43 – 1  to: A43 – 14

More Information: Part of this work was performed within the SOLARNET I3 integrated activity (European Union 7th Framework Program, grant No. 312495). NSO is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA), under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. We are grateful to Dr. V. Martinez Pillet, for lending us the two NSO ET50s used in additional testing, and to D. Gilliam for taking care of all the practical issues related to their transport. Finally, we would like to thank Chris Pietraszewski (IC Optical Systems, Ltd.) for invaluable discussions.
KeyWords: Fabry-Perot interferometers, Interferometry.
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201935302

Citations: 6
data from “WEB OF SCIENCE” (of Thomson Reuters) are update at: 2024-11-17
References taken from IsiWeb of Knowledge: (subscribers only)
Connecting to view paper tab on IsiWeb: Click here
Connecting to view citations from IsiWeb: Click here