Integrated Fourier Transform Spectrometer

The NASA/NSF commissioned EPRV Working Groups final report calls for the development of spectrographs with spectral resolution exceeding 100,000 operating across the visible/NIR spectrum to support the characterization of earth analogs orbiting solar-type stars through radial velocity measurements. While bulk optical instruments that require large volume/mass and complex environmental controls may work for the first phase that addresses the needs of ground-based telescopes, the development of an integrated instrument using photonic waveguide technology can adequately address the challenges posed by future mission concepts such as HabEx and LUVOIR where the demands of space deployment preclude bulky instruments. The Phase II effort will produce a demonstration of a Fourier Transform Spectrometer that operates over 700-900nm with a resolution of 10,000. The envisioned integrated Fourier Transform Spectrometer uses a two stage system design to implement the network of switchable optical path delays with 14 bits of control. One addresses the need to implement fine control of the optical path delay in the sub um to micrometers range while the other addresses the coarse delays in the range of millimeters of optical path. The former is implemented with a novel cladding mode modulator that can provide a selection of two refractive indices for the propagating mode and the other uses an exchange/bypass (sometimes called cross/bar) switch to select one of two waveguides of differing lengths for the light to follow. The system architecture should allow a very compact system to be realized, substantially reducing the volume and mass that needs to be temperature stabilized, a very important and practical system constraint. The NASA/NSF EPRV Working Group’s final report advocates development of spectrographs with spectral resolution exceeding 100,000 operating across the visible/NIR spectrum. While bulk optical instruments that require large volume/mass and complex environmental controls may work for the first phase for ground-based telescopes, the development of an integrated instrument using photonic waveguide technology can deliver the necessary performance in an ultra compact form. The envisioned integrated Fourier Transform Spectrometer uses a two stage system design to implement the network of switchable optical path delays.  One addresses the need to implement fine control of the optical path delay in the sub um to micrometers  range while the other addresses the coarse delays in the range of millimeters of optical path.   The former is implemented with a novel evanescent mode (cladding) modulator that can provide a selection of two refractive indices for the propagating mode and the other uses an exchange/bypass switch to select one of two waveguides of differing lengths for the light to follow.   Demonstration of an Integrated FT Spectrometer with R=10,000 operating over 0.7 to 0.9 um (14 bits of optical path difference control) in a compact (less than 20mm X 20mm) footprint. Demonstration of the cladding mode modulator with electrostatic MEMS control Demonstration of waveguide loss with better than 0.5 dB/cm loss Delivery of one integrated FT spectrometer sample

EPRV instruments that are being contemplated for ground-based telescopes is the immediate outlet for the iFTS technology.  Spectroscopy is a key scientific capability that is sought for missions and projects that are ground based and spaceborne.   The market for such scientific instruments with performance goals that far outstrip any defense or commercial application is not large but significant for a small company like Obsidian Sensors.      The successful demonstration of iFTS for the EPRV application can directly impact much larger volume applications across the medical and even consumer markets where less challenging spectroscopy performed in real time in the molecular fingerprint regions of the infrared can be used for diagnosis and analysis.    

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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