Effect of boom-splitter emission in Fourier-transform emission spectroscopy

A simple model of an emission Fourier-transform spectrometer is provided fo r a beam splitter with infinitesimal thickness but with general optical pro perties otherwise. Using the principle of conservation of energy, we derive d the rigorous expressions that relate the interferograms from three differ ent signals (source, reference, and beam-splitter emission), which are simu ltaneously observed by the detector. The relationship among phase and ampli tude of the three interferograms is evaluated. The results indicate that th e behavior of a Fourier-transform emission spectrometer may be more complic ated than what is assumed in some models. Calibration procedures should ref lect the implications of this rigorous approach. (C) 1999 Optical Society o f America OCIS codes: 010.1290, 120.0280, 230.1360, 300.2140, 300.6270, 300 .6300.