Method of realizing compact Fourier transform spectrometer without moving parts based on birefringent liquid crystal

Birefringent Fourier-transform imaging spectrometer.

Fourier-transform imaging spectrometers offer important advantages over other spectral imaging modalities, such as, a wider free spectral range, higher spectral resolutions and, in low-photon-flux conditions, higher signal-to-noise ratios can be achieved. Unfortunately, for application in harsh environments, deployment of Fourier-transform instruments based on traditional moving-mirror interfer...

Compact Fourier-transform volume holographic spectrometer for diffuse source spectroscopy.

We present a new idea for diffuse source spectroscopy using a Fourier-transform volume holographic spectrometer formed by a Fourier-transform lens, a volume hologram, and a CCD. We show that this spectrometer can operate well under spatially incoherent light illumination. Furthermore, this spectrometer is less bulky, less sensitive to input alignment, and potentially more appropriate for implem...

Miniaturized time-scanning Fourier transform spectrometer based on silicon technology.

We present a miniaturized Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) based on optical microelectromechanical system technology. The FTS is a Michelson interferometer with one scanning mirror. A new type of electrostatic comb drive actuator moves the mirror. We have measured a nonlinearity of the driving system of +/-0.5 mum for a displacement of 38.5 mum . A method is presented to correct the spectru...

Fast Birefringent Mode Stressed Liquid Crystal

Catoms: Moving Robots Without Moving Parts

We demonstrate modular robot prototypes developed as part of the Claytronics Project (Goldstein et al. 2005). Among the novel features of these robots (“catoms”) is their ability to reconfigure (move) relative to one another without moving parts. The absence of moving parts is central to one key aim of our work, namely, plausible manufacturability at smaller and smaller physical scales using hi...