Portable “Double Cat’s Eye” FT-IR Spectrometer

Abstract

In the present paper the portable FT-IR spectrometer based on the “double cat’s eye” interferometer (circular version, patented) is described. The advantages of the “double cat’s eye” (DCE) interferometer, which incorporates two spherical mirrors and a movable beam-splitter, are the low sensitivity to misalignment and the doubled resolution for the unit of motion. The unique construction of the spectrometer gives the opportunity of lowering polarization effects on the beam-splitter. Compact size, low weight, and robust construction are additional features of the instrument. Because of the above-mentioned features no additional adjustment is need during the whole lifetime of the equipment, including production. The circular version of the spectrometer described here has a throughput about 20 times that of the previous version, owing to more effective use of the light.