Radiometric performances of the Fourier transform spectrometer for the Radiation Explorer in the Far Infrared (REFIR) space mission

Year: 2004

Authors: Palchetti L., Bianchini G., Pellegrini M., Esposito F., Restieri R., Pavese G.

Autors Affiliation: Ist. di Fis. Applicata Nello Carrara, CNR, Via Panciatichio 64, Firenze, Italy; DIFA, Universista della Basilicata, C.da Macchia Romana, Potenza, Italy; Ist. Metodologie l\’Anal. Ambient., CNR, C.da S. Loja, Tito Scalo, Potenza, Italy

Abstract: In the framework of the Radiation Explorer in the Far InfraRed space mission for the characterization in the far infrared of the Earth outgoing emission, a breadboard version of the Fourier transform spectrometer, which is the core instrument of the payload package, has been developed. The Fourier transform spectrometer operates in the spectral range of 100-1100 cm -1 with a resolution of 0.5 cm-1, 6.5 s acquisition time, and signal-to-noise ratio better than 100. It is a compact prototype designed both for laboratory applications and for field campaigns, in particular for operations in high-altitude ground-based sites and on-board of stratospheric balloon platforms. This paper describes the instrument characterization performed in laboratory conditions and under vacuum. The study has allowed to study the trade-off among all the instrument parameters and to test the new optical design of the interferometer, with particular attention to the photolithographic beam splitters and the room-temperature pyroelectric detectors. The instrument was operated for the first time in a field campaign in June 2004 from 1247 m altitude groundbased site located in the South of Italy. The results of this test and the comparison with the measurements taken with a BOMEM spectrometer, that partially overlaps the REFIR bandwidth in the higher spectral region, are reported. Info can be found at http://radiation.ifac.cnr. it.

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KeyWords: Atmospheric optics; Emission spectroscopy; Fourier optics; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; Photolithography; Remote sensing; Signal to noise ratio; Space applications; Upper atmosphere, Atmospheric and ocean optics; Far infrared; Fourier transform spectroscopy; Spectrometers and spectroscopic instrumentation, Spectrometers
DOI: 10.1117/12.565548