Spatial Heterodyne Fourier-Transform Waveguide Spectrometers

Overcoming current resolution limits of optical spectroscopy could revolutionize research in diverse fields such as atomic and molecular spectroscopy, bio-chemistry, and astronomy. In this chapter, we explore the opportunities opened by spatial heterodyne Fourier-transform spectroscopy, presenting both its early bulk-optics implementations and its latest applications in waveguide optics and silicon photonics. Spatial heterodyne Fourier-transform spectrometers provide a plurality of simultaneous interferometric measurements, from which the source spectrum is retrieved in a single capture. Independent access to each interferometric measurement enables spectral retrieval algorithms to correct fabrication and experimental deviations from ideal behavior without any hardware modifications. Furthermore, the straightforward scalability of these devices represents a significant milestone toward pushing current resolution boundaries of stationary spectroscopy. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.