Spatially-encoded Fourier spectrometer: Prospects for plasma studies

Analysis of the main characteristics (geometric factor, resolving power, si gnal-to-noise ratio) of a spatially-encoded Fourier spectrometer (SFS) with recording by a position-sensitive photodetector shows that it can be widel y used for plasma studies. A sum of advantages of the SFS appears to be the best in comparison both with grating (prism) spectrographs and a classic " dynamic" Fourier spectrometer. A technique, suggested for numerical correct ion of imperfection of optical elements of the SFS, enables to reach a reso lution close to the theoretical one. Examples of measurements of different spectra are given.