Open AccessThe tempo-spatially modulated polarization atmosphere Michelson interferometer
Author(s) -
Chunmin Zhang,
Heyuan Zhu,
Bin Zhao
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.19.009626
Subject(s) - michelson interferometer , interferometry , optics , polarization (electrochemistry) , airglow , physics , atmosphere (unit) , optical path length , atmospheric optics , orbiter , remote sensing , astronomical interferometer , geology , meteorology , astronomy , chemistry
A space-based tempo-spatially modulated polarization atmosphere Michelson interferometer (TSMPAMI) is described. It uses the relative movement between the TSMPAMI and the measured target to change optical path difference. The acquisition method of interferogram is presented. The atmospheric temperatures and horizontal winds can be derived from the optical observations. The measurement errors of the winds and temperatures are discussed through simulations. In the presence of small-scale structures of the atmospheric fields, the errors are found to be significantly influenced by the mismatch of the scenes observed by the adjacent CCD sub-areas aligned along the orbiter's track during successive measurements due to the orbital velocity and the exposure time. For most realistic conditions of the orbit and atmosphere, however, the instrument is proven suitable for measuring the atmospheric parameters.