400– to 1000–nm imaging spectrometer based on acousto-optic tunable filters

An imaging spectrometer covering the 400-1000 nm band has been conceived and developed. The system is based on an Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter (AOTF) attached to a high performance digital camera. The AOTF permits the selection of spectral bands with an RF signal in the range of 70-210 MHz. The range is covered using two transducers attached to a single crystal. Although the idea is not new it covers a broader spectrum than previous systems. It includes a telecentric optical system that enhances system efficiency, by ensuring that the chief ray of each light cone emerges out of this doublet parallel to the optical axes. Additionally, an smart choice of integration time reduces the dependenc…