Design of a field-widened Michelson interferometer for a near-infrared high spectral resolution lidar

摘要

High spectral resolution lidars (HSRLs) are becoming more and more important in profiling atmospheric aerosols as accurate measurement can be achieved by employing the high-spectral-resolution spectroscopic filter. A field-widened Michelson interferometer (FWMI) is specially designed to be the spectroscopic filter for a near-infrared HSRL. The FWMI is superior to other commonly used filters, such as F-P interferometric filters and atomic/molecular absorption filters for its large angular acceptance, high photon efficiency and wavelength flexibility. It consists of a cubic beam splitter and two orthogonal arms. In this paper, the designing procedure of determining the materials and dimensions of the arms is described in detail. The result designed to the spectral line of 1064nm is presented and is analyzed to have good working performance. A tolerance evaluation model is also established to assist the design process.