Acousto-Optical Spectrometers in Space

R. Schieder, J. Horn, O. Siebertz, M. Klumb

I Physics Institute, University of Cologne

J. Frerick

Institute of Environmental Physics, University of Bremen

V. Tolls

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Ma

Proc. 30th ESLAB Synposium, "Submillimetre and Far-Infrared Space Instrumentation", 24-26 Sep. 1996, ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, ESA SP-388 (1996)

Abstract:

Recent developments of acousto-optical spectrometers (AOS) are discussed. Some details of the performance of the space-qualified AOS for the Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite are presented. A newly developed array-AOS with four 1 GHz bands in one unit is described. Results from Allan variance tests, molecular gas cell tests, and investigations of the relative stability between the four bands are presented. The Allan variance minimum time is found at more than 1000 seconds which is one of the best results seen with broadband AOSs. The relative stability of the bands is very high so that methods like "flat-fielding" can be applied to the measured spectra.

Keywords: Radioastronomy; Spectrometers; Radiometers; Heterodyne Instrumentation