A Prototype of a Large Tunable Fabry–Pérot Interferometer for Solar Spectroscopy

Year: 2022

Authors: Greco V., Sordini A:, Cauzzi G., Cavallini F., Del Vecchio C., Giovannelli L., Berrilli F., Del Moro D., Reardon K., Pietraszewski K. A. R. B.

Autors Affiliation: CNR, Ist Nazl Ott, Largo E Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy; Natl Solar Observ, 3665 Discovery Dr, Boulder, CO 80303 USA; INAF Osservatorio Astrofis Arcetri, Largo E Fermi 5, I-50125 Florence, Italy; Univ Roma Tor Vergata, Dipartimento Fis, Via Ric Sci 1, I-00133 Rome, Italy; IC Opt Syst Ltd, 190-192 Ravenscroft Rd, Beckenham BR3 4TW, Kent, England.

Abstract: Large Fabry-Pyrot Interferometers (FPIs) are used in a variety of astronomical instrumentation, including spectro-polarimeters for 4 m class solar telescopes. In this work we comprehensively characterize the cavity of a prototype 150 mm FPI, sporting a novel, fully symmetric design. Of particular interest, we define a new method to properly assess the gravity effects on the interferometer?s cavity when the system is used in either the vertical or horizontal configuration, both typical of solar observations. We show that the symmetric design very effectively limits the combined effects of pre-load and gravity forces to only a few nm over a 120 mm diameter illuminated surface, with gravity contributing ~2 nm peak-to-valley (~0.3 nm rms) in either configuration. We confirm a variation of the tilt between the plates of the interferometer during the spectral scan, which can be mitigated with appropriate corrections to the spacing commands. Finally, we show that the dynamical response of the new system fully satisfies typical operational scenarios. We conclude that large, fully symmetric FPIs can be safely used within solar instrumentation in both, horizontal and vertical position, with the latter better suited to limiting the overall volume occupied by such an instrument.

Journal/Review: PUBLICATIONS OF THE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF THE PACIFIC

Volume: 134      Pages from: 015007-1  to: 015007-18

More Information: This study has been mainly supported by the SOLARNETHigh-Resolution Solar Physics Network project, funded by the European Commission´s FP7 Capacities Programme under Grant Agreement 312495. NSO is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA), under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. Use of NASA´s Astrophysical Data System is gratefully acknowledged.
KeyWords: Astronomical instrumentation; Fabry-Perot interferometers; High resolution spectroscopy; Solar instruments
DOI: 10.1088/1538-3873/ac3ec7

ImpactFactor: 3.500
Citations: 1
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