Phase compensation of a separation scanned, all-sky imaging Fabry-Perot spectrometer for auroral studies

Conde, M.; Smith, R. W.

We describe a new all-sky imaging spectrometer using a separation scanned Fabry-Perot étalon. It is intended for ground-based mapping of upper atmospheric wind and temperature fields in the auroral zone. Its major advantage is that recorded spectra are not distorted by spatial and temporal brightness fluctuations in the aurora. We present a discussion of previous approaches to field widening a Fabry-Perot spectrometer, then describe the principles underlying our method. This enables comparisons with the throughput and the response to brightness fluctuations provided by previous instruments. We also describe our instrument's optical layout, its calibration, and data analysis.