Study of bandwidth effects in monochromator-based spectral responsivity measurements

The errors caused by monochromator bandwidth in spectral responsivity measurements with a monochromator-based apparatus are discussed. Bandwidth effects are not negligible in high-accuracy cryogenic radiometer-based calibrations. A simple numerical method is used to calculate bandwidth effects for different types of detectors, monochromator slit scattering functions, and monochromator output spectral distributions. The method uses low-order Lagrange polynomials fitted segmentwise to measured spectral responsivity and monochromator spectral distribution data in order to make the calculations. It is shown that the shape of the slit function has only a small influence on the bandwidth errors, whereas the output spectral distribution of the monochromator can strongly affect bandwidth errors. It is also shown that in most cases the magnitude of bandwidth effects will vary as the square of the bandwidth. Bandwidth error calculations are presented for various types of detectors (silicon, silicon trap, germanium, InGaAs), for a V(X) detector, and for a typical filter radiometer. A comparison is made between calculated and measured bandwidth effects to validate the method used. In general, calculations of bandwidth effects will be mostly useful for determining uncertainties associated with monochromator bandwidth in spectral responsivity measurements; however, in certain cases the calculations can be used to apply corrections for such effects.     

Grazing-incidence Monk-Gillieson monochromator based on surface normal rotation of a varied-line-spacing grating

A geometric theory of a grazing-incidence varied-line-spacing plane-grating monochromator system whose scanning is made by a simple grating rotation about the grating normal has been developed for designing Monk-Gillieson monochromators capable of covering an energy range of 0.6-2.5 keV. Analytic expressions are given for the grating equations, focal conditions, dispersion, spectral image shape, and optimization of groove parameters. On the basis of the theory, two monochromator systems have been designed: system I for moderate resolution and system II for relatively high resolution. The validity of the analytic formulas and the expected performance of the designed systems have been evaluated by means of ray tracing. The results show that the analytic formulas are sufficiently accurate for practical applications and that systems I and II would provide resolving power of approximately 1450-600 and 7500-2000, respectively, in the wavelength region of 0.5-2.0 nm.     

Dispersive characteristics of one-dimensional Fresnel zone plates measured using synchrotron radiation

This paper presents the dispersive characteristics of a Ta film one-dimensional Fresnel zone plate (FZP) measured using synchrotron radiation as a light source. Spectral spatial distributions of the FZP linear monochromator output beam are recorded on an X-ray film. The observed distributions are well explained by the FZP's chromatic aberration. The spectral bandwidth of the monochromator output beam decreases proportional to the slit width and saturates at approximately the value limited by the size of the focused image of the synchrotron radiation source.     

Accurate and precise wavelength calibration for wide bandwidth array spectrometers

Calibrating the wavelength scale of an array spectrometer typically involves measurements of lines at well-known wavelengths from a calibration lamp such as a mercury-argon source. This process is relatively straightforward when the lines are well separated, relative to the bandwidth of the spectrometer. When the spectrometer's bandwidth is large, compared with the distance between calibration wavelengths, it becomes increasingly difficult to accurately locate lines in the calibration spectrum. Even calibrations for instruments with a modest bandwidth of 12 nm can be difficult. Here we present results from a simple approach to improve the accuracy of wavelength calibration for an instrument with a large bandwidth (12 nm, center-to-center pixel spacing 3.3 nm). A monochromator has been used to filter the source so that each calibration line can be measured separately. For ten spectrometers, we were able to achieve accuracy better than 0.12 nm, or 0.09 nm on average; this is less than 3% of the pixel spacing. We anticipate this approach will be useful for improving the accuracy of measurements on array spectrometers and particularly in transferring multivariate calibrations between instruments.     

Development of an all-sky-scanning spectroradiometer with a visible diode array and a near-infrared acousto-optic tunable filter

A sky scanner was developed that collects spectral radiance data over the wavelength range 390-1732 nm by use of two radiometers, the first being a monochromator with a 512-element silicon diode array and the second being a near-infrared acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) coupled to an InGaAs detector. The scanner is capable of completing a set of spectral radiance measurements at 146 points in the sky hemisphere in a period of less than 4 min.     

Design of a configurable multispectral imaging system based on an AOTF

In this paper, we present a configurable multispectral imaging system based on an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF). Typically, AOTFs are used to filter a single wavelength at a time, but thanks to the use of a versatile sweeping frequency generator implemented with a direct digital synthesizer, the imager may capture a configurable spectral range. Experimental results show a good spectral and imaging response of the system for spectral bandwidth up to a 50 nm.     

Characterization of a near-infrared laparoscopic hyperspectral imaging system for minimally invasive surgery

We developed and characterized a new imaging platform for minimally invasive surgical venues, specifically a system to help guide laparoscopic surgeons to visualize biliary anatomy. This platform is a novel combination of a near-infrared hyperspectral imaging system coupled with a conventional surgical laparoscope. Intraoperative tissues are illuminated by optical fibers arranged in a ring around a center-mounted relay lens collecting back-reflected light from tissues to the hyperspectral imaging system. The system consists of a focal plane array (FPA) and a liquid crystal tunable filter, which is continuously tunable in the near-infrared spectral range of 650-1100 nm with the capability of passing light with a mean bandwidth of 6.95 nm, and the FPA is a high-sensitivity back-illuminated, deep depleted charge-coupled device. Placing a standard resolution target 5.1 cm from the distal end of the laparoscope, a typical intraoperative working distance, produced a 7.6-cm-diameter field of view with an optimal spatial resolution of 0.24 mm. In addition, the system's spatial and spectral resolution and its wavelength tuning accuracy are characterized. The spectroscopic images are formatted into a three-dimensional hyperspectral image cube and processed using principle component analysis. The processed images provide contrast based on measured spectra associated with chemically different anatomical structures helping identify the main molecular chromophores inherent to each tissue. The principal component images were found to image swine gallbladder and biliary structures from surrounding tissues, in real time, during cholecystectomy surgery. Furthermore, it is shown that surgeons can interrogate selected image subregions for their molecular composition identifying biliary anatomy during surgery and before any invasive action is undertaken.     

Spectrophotometer spectral bandwidth calibration with absorption bands crystal standard

A procedure for calibration of a spectral bandwidth standard for high-resolution spectrophotometers is described. Symmetrical absorption bands for a crystal standard are adopted. The method relies on spectral band shape fitting followed by a convolution with the slit function of the spectrophotometer. A reference spectrophotometer is used to calibrate the spectral bandwidth standard. Bandwidth calibration curves for a minimum spectral transmission factor relative to the spectral bandwidth of the reference spectrophotometer are derived for the absorption bands at the wavelength of the band absorption maximum. The family of these calibration curves characterizes the spectral bandwidth standard. We calibrate the spectral bandwidth of a spectrophotometer with respect to the reference spectrophotometer by determining the spectral transmission factor minimum at every calibrated absorption band of the bandwidth standard for the nominal instrument values of the spectral bandwidth. With reference to the standard spectral bandwidth calibration curves, the relation of the spectral bandwidth to the reference spectrophotometer is determined. We determine the discrepancy in the spectrophotometers' spectral bandwidths by averaging the spectral bandwidth discrepancies relative to the standard calibrated values found at the absorption bands considered. A weighted average of the uncertainties is taken.     

Bandpass filters for wavelength division multiplexing-modification of the spectral bandwidth

Dispersion of the phase shift upon reflection of the reflectors is used to narrow the spectral bandwidth of an all-dielectric bandpass filter for wavelength division multiplexing. The bandwidth is altered by the shifting of the order numbers of the spacer layers (of multiple half-wave optical thicknesses).     

Optical broadband monitoring of conventional and ion processes

This contribution is focused on applications of spectroscopic methods for the precise control of deposition processes. Besides a monochromator system with a moving grating for the deep ultraviolet/vacuum ultraviolet (DUV/VUV) spectral range, two approaches are presented for online spectrophotometers with CCD arrays. The conventional spectrophotometer is considered for the operator-assisted deposition of fluoride coatings applied in the DUV/VUV range. The concepts with CCD arrays are combined with an advanced software tool for an automatic production of optical coatings. An ion-assisted deposition process and ion-beam sputtering are considered for rapid manufacturing of complex layer systems in the visible and near-infrared spectral ranges. The present contribution summarizes and discusses the major aspects of the described combinations.     

新型体全息窄带滤光器的光学特性研究

用紫外/可见分光光度计测定由DCG记录的透射式体全息窄带带阻滤光器的光谱特性,分析其滤波特性。测量结果分析表明,滤光器有较窄的带宽,其半宽度小于13nm,1/10宽度小于19nm。在400-800nm可见光区域,对其主谱线的相对透过率小于2%,其它谱线的相对透过率大于85%。对半导体泵浦激光器主谱线532.0nm有优良的滤光特性。     

Soft X-rays generated by the electron-cyclotron resonance discharge in heavy gases sustained by a high-power microwave beam in a magnetic trap

The soft X-ray line emission from a pulsed electron-cyclotron resonance discharge in argon, maintained by a high-power millimeter-wavelength beam in a magnetic mirror trap, was studied using a multilayer mirror X-ray monochromator. The X-ray spectrum was measured, and the absolute spectral intensity of emission was determined in a 6–17 nm wavelength range. The discharge can be used as an effective source of soft X-rays with an efficiency of the microwave to X-ray power conversion on a level of 10% and a maximum spectral power density of 7.3 kW/nm at a wavelength of 9 nm.     

Plane gratings for high-resolution grazing-incidence monochromators: holographic grating versus mechanically ruled varied-line-spacing grating

Comparative studies have been made on the holographic plane grating and the ruled varied-line-spacing (VLS) plane grating designed for two kinds of objective Monk-Gillieson type high-resolution grazing incidence monochromator, I and II. The ray-traced performance of monochromator types I and II on a synchrotron radiation beam line was evaluated in terms of resolving power and spectral purity by the introduction of new concepts of effective Gaussian line and purity profiles. The resolving power defined on the basis of the effective Gaussian profile is consistent with the spectral purity of the beam emerging from the exit slit and is more realistic as compared with those defined in the conventional manner, especially when spectral images have asymmetric profiles. It is concluded that holographic plane gratings recorded with a spherical and an aspheric wave front are capable of providing high resolution with high spectral purity and are fully interchangeable with the corresponding ruled VLS plane gratings. This interchangeability provides more flexibility for users in choosing a proper grating for a high-resolution grazing incidence monochromator of the Monk-Gillieson type.     

Spectral radiant power measurements of VUV and soft x-ray sources using the electron storage ring BESSY as a radiometric standard source

A method is described for measuring the spectral radiant power of VUV and soft x-ray sources using the electron storage ring BESSY as a radiometric standard source of calculable spectral radiant power and degree of polarization. An ellipsoidal grazing incidence mirror stigmatically images the stored electrons or the source under investigation in equal optical conditions into a toroidal grating monochromator. The monochromator can be rotated around its optical axis in UHV conditions to account for different degrees of polarization of the two sources. The accuracy presently available with this method is demonstrated by a measurement of the spectral concentration of radiant intensity of a laser-produced tungsten plasma in the wavelength range between 7 and 100 nm with an overall uncertainty of 10%. A detailed analysis of the contributions to this uncertainty shows that the major part of it is caused by the presently uncertain knowledge of the polarizing properties of the radiometric instrumentation and by the uncertainty of the correction procedure which accounts for the influence of higher diffraction orders of the monochromator grating. The results of the radiation measurements of the laser-produced tungsten plasma let us expect that this source type has the potential to serve as a radiometric transfer standard in the VUV and soft x-ray range below 100 nm.     

Photonic highway switches based on ring resonators used as frequency-selective components

A new concept for a highway switch, which can be used to connect different optical wavelength division multiplexing data highways for data exchange, is proposed and the system relevant properties are outlined. For the required add-drop filter elements we used ring resonators. Typical characteristics of channel bandwidth, channel spacing, free spectral range, amplification, and cross-talk behavior of a highway switch with double-cavity ring resonators are basically examined and to some extent compared with solutions that were obtained with standard single-ring resonators. A signal flow chart transformation for evaluating filter transfer functions is presented.     

High-accuracy spectrometer for measurement of regular spectral transmittance

A high-accuracy spectrometer has been developed for measuring regular spectral transmittance. The spectrometer is an automated, single-beam instrument that is based on a grating monochromator, reflecting optics, and an averaging sphere detector unit with a silicon photodiode. The uncertainties related to wavelength calibration, detector nonlinearity, system instability, beam displacement, polarization, stray light, interreflections, and beam uniformity are determined for the visible spectral range from 380 to 780 nm. A total uncertainty of 3 × 10(-4) (1σ) is estimated for transmittance measurements of homogeneous neutral-density filters. The uncertainty of the wavelength scale is 0.06 nm. As a specific application, calibration of V(λ)-correction filters is studied. To verify the accuracy of the transmittance measurements, a comparison of the measured and predicted transmittances of a sample of high-purity fused silica is made, revealing agreement at the 5 × 10(-4) level.     

Measurements of crystal properties for versatile double crystal monochromators in fusion plasma spectroscopy

The spatial dependence of double crystal reflectivities and rocking curve widths is determined for crystals that are suitable for versatile double crystal monochromators to be applied in fusion plasma soft X-ray spectroscopy. Their application is limited by misorientations within large natural crystals or by lattice bending and anisotropies of inadequately surface-treated, commercially available perfect crystals. In the wavelength range from about 0.1 to 2.5 nm there are three groups of crystals that offer high flexibility of the double crystal monochromator device with respect to spectral resolution, photon throughput and mechanical accuracy.     

Polarization-independent tunable spectral slicing filter in Ti:LiNbO3

A two-port polarization-independent tunable spectral slicing filter at the 1530?nm wavelength regime is presented. The design utilizes an asymmetric interferometer with a sparse index grating along its arms. The sparse grating makes it possible to select equally spaced frequency channels from an incident WDM signal and to place nulls between them to coincide with the signal comb frequency. The number of selected channels and nulls between them depends on the number of coupling regions used in the sparse grating. The free spectral range depends on the spacing between the coupling regions. The Z-transform method is used to synthesize the filter and determine the spectral response. The operation of a device with six coupling regions is demonstrated, and good agreement with theoretical predictions is obtained. A 3?dB bandwidth of ～1?nm and thermal tuning over a range of ～13?nm are measured.     

Tunable liquid-crystal filter for solar imaging at the He i 1083-nm line

A Lyot-Ohman filter for imaging near the solar He i 1083-nm line is described. Fast and continuous spectral tunability is provided by nematic liquid crystals. This solid-state filter has a free spectral range of 2.35 nm and a spectral resolution of 0.135 nm at the operating wavelength of 1083 nm. A wide-fielded design was used for both static and electro-optic retarder elements, facilitating use in fast imaging systems. A first-light He i image of the Sun is presented.     

Development of a very fast spectral response measurement system for analysis of hydrogenated amorphous silicon solar cells and modules

An important requirement for a very fast spectral response measurement system is the simultaneous illumination of the solar cell at multiple well defined wavelengths. Nowadays this can be done by means of light emitting diodes (LEDs) available for a multitude of wavelengths. For the purpose to measure the spectral response (SR) of amorphous silicon solar cells a detailed characterization of LEDs emitting in the wavelength range from 300 nm to 800 nm was performed. In the here developed equipment the LED illumination is modulated in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 200 Hz and the current generated by each LED is analyzed by a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to determine the current component corresponding to each wavelength. The equipment provides a signal to noise ratio of 2–4 orders of magnitude for individual wavelengths resulting in a precise measurement of the SR over the whole wavelength range. The difference of the short circuit current determined from the SR is less than 1% in comparison to a conventional system with monochromator.