Design of an efficient broadband far-infrared Fourier-transform spectrometer

As part of a feasibility study for a far-infrared Fourier-transform spacebo rne spectrometer, the criteria that drive the choice of the instrument conf iguration have been identified as broadband operation, dual input and outpu t ports, optics of the interferometer with full tilt compensation, and meas urement of both planes of polarization of the source on a single detector. Despite the fact that some of these requirements are apparently difficult t o reconcile, a new configuration of the polarizing interferometer that meet s all the above requirements has been identified. The considerations that l ed to the design of this new configuration are discussed. (C) 1994 Optical Society of America.