www.atmos-meas-tech.net/2/789/2009/ doi:10.5194/amt-2-789-2009 © Author(s) 2009. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Assessment of the performance of a compact concentric spectrometer system for Atmospheric Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy 1Earth Observation Science, Space Research Centre, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK 2Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., Rayleigh House, 1 Bat & Ball Road, Sevenoaks, TN14 5LJ, UK 3Department of Chemistry, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK Abstract. A breadboard demonstrator of a novel UV/VIS grating spectrometer has been developed based upon a concentric arrangement of a spherical meniscus lens, concave spherical mirror and curved diffraction grating suitable for a range of atmospheric remote sensing applications from the ground or space. The spectrometer is compact and provides high optical efficiency and performance benefits over traditional instruments. The concentric design is capable of handling high relative apertures, owing to spherical aberration and comma being near zero at all surfaces. The design also provides correction for transverse chromatic aberration and distortion, in addition to correcting for the distortion called "smile", the curvature of the slit image formed at each wavelength. These properties render this design capable of superior spectral and spatial performance with size and weight budgets significantly lower than standard configurations. This form of spectrometer design offers the potential for exceptionally compact instrument for differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) applications from LEO, GEO, HAP or ground-based platforms. The breadboard demonstrator has been shown to offer high throughput and a stable Gaussian line shape with a spectral range from 300 to 450 nm at 0.5 nm resolution, suitable for a number of typical DOAS applications. Final Revised Paper (PDF, 2833 KB) Discussion Paper (AMTD) Citation: Whyte, C., Leigh, R. J., Lobb, D., Williams, T., Remedios, J. J., Cutter, M., and Monks, P. S.: Assessment of the performance of a compact concentric spectrometer system for Atmospheric Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 2, 789-800, doi:10.5194/amt-2-789-2009, 2009. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML |
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