Velocity servo for continuous scan Fourier interference spectrometer

Abstract

A velocity servo for continuous scan Fourier interference spectrometer of the double pass retroreflector type having two cat's eye retroreflectors is described. The servo uses an open loop, lead screw drive system for one retroreflector with compensation for any variations in speed of drive of the lead screw provided by sensing any variation in the rate of reference laser fringes, and producing an error signal from such variation used to compensate by energizing a moving coil actuator for the other retroreflector optical path, and energizing (through a highpass filter) piezoelectric actuators for the secondary mirrors of the retroreflectors.