Patent ID: 9046422
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
1. An interferometer, comprising, from object-wise to image-wise along an axis: a lens array that produces a plurality of sub-images of an object based on associated sub-image light fluxes; a polarizing grating situated to produce an interference pattern in the sub-image light fluxes having a wavelength independent spatial frequency that is associated with a period of the polarizing grating; a birefringent prism that produces a spatially varying optical path difference (OPD) between orthogonal polarization states associated with the sub-image light fluxes; a polarization analyzer situated to project at least a portion of orthogonal polarization states of the sub-image light fluxes to a common polarization state; an array detector situated to receive the projected sub-image light fluxes; and a processor coupled to the array detector that produces a spectral image based on calculations using portions of the sub-image light fluxes associated with the wavelength independent spatial frequency.