Method and apparatus for reducing the data rate in Fourier spectroscopy

Abstract

To reduce the data rate of a digitalized measuring signal produced in Fourier spectroscopy, the analog signal representing the interferogram is mixed with a second electrical signal whose frequency is modulated in proportion to the deviation of the instantaneous actual speed of the moving mirror of a double beam interferometer from its constant desired speed. Only the difference frequencies produced as a result of the frequency mixing are digitalized and supplied to an associated computer for analysis of the interferogram. The digital measuring signal thus obtained is distinguished by a substantially reduced data rate without giving rise to additional errors in the frequency transformation. To produce the second frequency modulated electrical signal, a laser source is used which supplies a laser beam into the interferometer parallel to the measuring beam. The interferogram of the laser beam produced in the interferometer is converted by a second optoelectrical converter into an electrical signal frequency modulated in a desired manner and is supplied to a frequency mixer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.