Compact High-Resolution Broad-Band Terahertz Fabry-Perot Spectrometer, Phase I

Our objective is to develop a compact scanning Fabry-Perot spectrometer, for satellite far-infrared astronomy and Earth remote sensing, that operates at wavelengths of 100 ?m and longer, with a resolving power of 10,000 and free spectral range of ~50 cm-1. The novelty of this innovation lies in obtaining this very large free spectral range simultaneously with a resolution equivalent to the state of the art for laboratory far-infrared spectrophotometers in a volume less than a liter and directly suitable for airborne and satellite instrumentation. The critical innovation lies in providing far-infrared Fabry-Perot mirrors of >99.99% reflectance to enable unprecedented system finesse. This mirror development and proof testing, and a systems analysis of an F-P spectrometer subsystem for satellite and aerial imaging are the subject of Phase I; Phase II includes design, fabrication and testing of the miniature spectrometer.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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