Patent ID: 6734966
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
A high resolution hyperspectral imaging apparatus for studying atmospheric components in a predetermined field of view, said apparatus comprising:an optical telescope including an objective lens for focusing an optical beam received from the field of view; a beam splitter responsive to the converging optical beam from the telescope, said beam splitter separating the optical beam into a first beam directed along a first beam path and a second beam directed along a second beam path; a first slit and first spectrograph positioned in the first beam path for analyzing said first optical beam, wherein the first spectrograph includes a first lens assembly, a first grating and a first detector, said first grating separating the first beam into a first set of predetermined spectral components, said separated first beam being directed through the first lens assembly onto the first detector; and a second slit and second spectrograph positioned in the second beam path for analyzing said second beam, wherein the second spectrograph includes a second lens assembly, a second grating and a second detector, said second grating separating the second beam into a second set of predetermined spectral components, said separated second beam being directed through the second lens assembly onto the second detector.