Transparent Fourier transform spectrometer

We realized a transparent Fourier transform spectrometer and investigated its operating principle. The spectrometer consists of a low-reflectivity Fabry-Perot interferometer and a partially transparent photodetector, which allows for the operation of the spectrometer in transmission. By changing the distance between the low-reflectivity mirrors of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, the light intensity that reaches the partially transparent photodetector is modulated and the spectral information of the incident light is determined by the Fourier transform of the generated photocurrent. This transparent Fourier transform spectrometer allows easy miniaturization and integration into any kind of optical system. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America