Characterisation of instrumental line shape distortions due to path difference dependent phase errors in a Fourier transform spectrometer

In Fourier transform spectroscopy, path difference dependent misalignments, such as those due to imperfect mechanical movement of the scanning mirror, can be modelled as path difference dependent apodisation and phase errors. The theoretical model that relates the mirror drive characteristics to the path difference dependent error is used to verify the consistency of the o ptical instrument line shape with the measurements of the mechanical drive quality. This procedure can be used as a diagnostic and qualification tool. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.