The Future of Airborne Infrared/Submm Astronomy: Instrument Solutions

Nikola

3-06

Thomas Nikola
Cornell University

Fabry-Perot Interferometers for SOFIA Instruments

Fabry-Perot Interferometers (FPIs) are versatile spectral filters that are being used over many wavelength ranges and for low- to high-spectral resolution applications. At the submillimeter group at Cornell University we are developing FPIs using silicon-wafer-based mirrors for the far-infrared and submillimeter wavelength regime. In the past, free-standing metal meshes were used for the FPI mirrors in this wavelength regime. Silicon-wafer-based mirrors have several advantages over free-standing metal meshes, including for example improved mechanical robustness and greater flexibility in selecting finesse over larger bandwidths.
FPIs are of particular interest for mapping observations since they naturally provide a 2D field of view, and in high spectral resolution direct detection experiments since the resonant cavity naturally multiplies the interference path.
In the past, FPIs have been used successfully in ground-base, airborne, and space-based instruments.
Currently, our group is designing an FPI using silicon-substrate based mirrors for an instrument module on the Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope (FYST; previously CCAT-prime).
Future instruments or upgrades of existing instruments for SOFIA could benefit from our FPI development program.