A new configuration of polarization-rotating dual-beam interferometer for space use

Author

Manabe, Takeshi ; Inatani, Junji ; Murk, Axel ; Wylde, Richard J. ; Seta, Masumichi ; Martin, Derek H.

Author_Institution

Commun. Res. Lab., Tokyo, Japan

Volume

51

Issue

6

fYear

2003

fDate

6/1/2003 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1696

Lastpage

1704

Abstract

This paper presents a new configuration of quasi-optical polarization-rotating dual-beam interferometer, which uses a pair of frequency-selective polarizers (FSPs) consisting of a wire-grid placed in front of a flat mirror, and has a function similar to the conventional Martin-Puplett interferometer (MPI). Advantages of this new configuration over the conventional MPI are lower residual reflection at the input and output ports and suitability to fixed-tuned applications. An experiment has shown it to have an MPI-like frequency characteristic as calculated. Careful machining was successful in achieving accuracy needed for a specified filter characteristic. This FSP-based quasi-optical device is to be used as a sideband separator in a space-borne submillimeter receiver for atmospheric research.

Keywords

aerospace instrumentation; atmospheric measuring apparatus; electromagnetic wave polarisation; radiotelescopes; radiowave interferometers; submillimetre wave filters; submillimetre wave receivers; 640 GHz; THF; atmospheric research; filter characteristic; fixed-tuned applications; flat mirror; frequency characteristic; frequency-selective polarizers; input ports; output ports; polarization-rotating dual-beam interferometer; quasi-optical device; radioastronomy; residual reflection reduction; sideband separators; space use; space-borne submillimeter receiver; wire-grid; Frequency; Optical interferometry; Optical polarization; Optical receivers; Optical reflection; Optical sensors; Physics; Radio interferometry; Submillimeter wave filters; Wire;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Microwave Theory and Techniques, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9480

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TMTT.2003.812567

Filename

1201802