Ruggedized FTIR Spectrometer Based on Calomel Prisms

Leveraging on Agiltron industry leading development of optical systems and the PI experience with FTIR spectrometer design, we propose to develop a new class of compact monolithic Fourier-transform spectrometers for the long-wave (7.5-13 m) infrared optical range. The proposed solution is based on creating a spatial interferogram with a pair of a calomel Wollaston prisms and digitizing it with an uncooled thermal camera. Unlike a traditional FTIR instrument based on Michelson interferometer with a delicate moving mirror, the proposed instrument has no moving parts and is sufficiently rugged for hand-held field applications. Being a common-path interferometer it is also insensitive to the system misalignment and temperature drifts. The Agiltron approach would advance many parameters of existing portable FTIR spectrometers. Using the developed device it would be possible to produce a compact instrument similar in function to the Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD). Being based on Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy technique such an instrument would have an advantage of being more sensitive, universal, reconfigurable and less prone to errors and false-positive alarms. The technical approach will be proven in Phase I through the numerical simulations, design, build of a prototype and testing.