Abstract: A system and method for detecting pathogenetic analytes including exciting a large target input area with radiation to produce scattered light to form an input beam, reformatting, with an optical slicer system, the input beam to produce an output beam, dispersing the output beam to produce an output area, capturing excitation data from the output area; and determining, with a processor, a presence of a particular analyte in the input area based on the excitation data. The input area can be greater than 100 micron squared and less than one million microns squared. The optical slicer system can be a high throughput virtual slit system. SERS analysis detects analytes of interest with both high resolution and sensitivity simultaneously, and is applicable for detection of the presence of viruses.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting pathogenetic analytes including exciting a large target input area with radiation to produce scattered light to form an input beam, reformatting, with an optical slicer system, the input beam to produce an output beam, dispersing the output beam to produce an output area, capturing excitation data from the output area; and determining, with a processor, a presence of a particular analyte in the input area based on the excitation data. The input area can be greater than 100 micron squared and less than one million microns squared. The optical slicer system can be a high throughput virtual slit system. SERS analysis detects analytes of interest with both high resolution and sensitivity simultaneously, and is applicable for detection of the presence of viruses.

Abstract: A spectrometer is provided, the spectrometer having an interferometer generating an interferogram by splitting an interferometer input signal between a reference arm and a variable delay arm, and introducing a delay between the split interferometer input signals prior to interfering the split interferometer input signals. The spectrometer additionally has a controllable delay element operable to adjust the delay introduced by the interferometer and a dispersive element outputting a plurality of narrowband outputs representative of a received broadband input signal. The interferometer and dispersive element are optically connected to output a plurality of narrowband interferograms representative of a spectra of a spectrometer input signal received by the spectrometer, and the plurality of narrowband interferograms are received by a detector array for analysis.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods are described herein for a spectrometer comprising at least two dispersive elements configured to receive at least one input optical signal and generate two or more pluralities of spatially separated spectral components, at least a portion of the at least two dispersive elements being implemented on a first substrate; and a single detector array coupled to the at least two dispersive elements and configured to receive and measure two or more pluralities of narrowband optical signals derived from the two or more pluralities of spatially separated spectral components, respectively.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods are described herein for a spectrometer comprising at least two dispersive elements configured to receive at least one input optical signal and generate two or more pluralities of spatially separated spectral components, at least a portion of the at least two dispersive elements being implemented on a first substrate; and a single detector array coupled to the at least two dispersive elements and configured to receive and measure two or more pluralities of narrowband optical signals derived from the two or more pluralities of spatially separated spectral components, respectively.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods are described herein for a spectrometer comprising at least two dispersive elements configured to receive at least one input optical signal and generate two or more pluralities of spatially separated spectral components, at least a portion of the at least two dispersive elements being implemented on a first substrate; and a single detector array coupled to the at least two dispersive elements and configured to receive and measure two or more pluralities of narrowband optical signals derived from the two or more pluralities of spatially separated spectral components, respectively.

Abstract: An interferometer comprising a planar substrate is provided. The interferometer has a splitter formed on the planar substrate to split a received optical signal, a sample arm formed on the planar substrate to receive a first portion of the split optical signal and direct the first portion toward a sample, a reference arm formed on the planar substrate to receive a second portion of the split optical signal, and a detector element to receive an interferogram generated by interfering the second portion of the split optical signal with a received sample signal generated by the first portion of the split signal interacting with the sample.

Abstract: A spectrometer is provided, the spectrometer having an interferometer generating an interferogram by splitting an interferometer input signal between a reference arm and a variable delay arm, and introducing a delay between the split interferometer input signals prior to interfering the split interferometer input signals. The spectrometer additionally has a controllable delay element operable to adjust the delay introduced by the interferometer and a dispersive element outputting a plurality of narrowband outputs representative of a received broadband input signal. The interferometer and dispersive element are optically connected to output a plurality of narrowband interferograms representative of a spectra of a spectrometer input signal received by the spectrometer, and the plurality of narrowband interferograms are received by a detector array for analysis.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods are described herein for a spectrometer comprising at least two dispersive elements configured to receive at least one input optical signal and generate two or more pluralities of spatially separated spectral components, at least a portion of the at least two dispersive elements being implemented on a first substrate; and a single detector array coupled to the at least two dispersive elements and configured to receive and measure two or more pluralities of narrowband optical signals derived from the two or more pluralities of spatially separated spectral components, respectively.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for the alignment of an interferometric system. A spatial filter comprising a reflective pinhole is provided at the output of the interferometer, and tilt is measured by a tilt detection subsystem positioned to reimage the pinhole. A shear detection subsystem is positioned to image an offset of the interferometer beams. Tilt and shear offsets are determined by comparing measurements obtained from the tilt and shear subsystems with pre-recorded measurements obtained for an aligned state. The tilt and shear offsets are employed to realign the system using positioning controls corresponding a reduced number of dominant degrees of freedom of the system.

Abstract: A precision molecular and motion sensor utilizing a Dispersed Fourier Transform Spectrometer to remotely sense targets. Remote sensing is conducted at various ranges, against various ambient backgrounds, to detect, classify, identify, characterize, and discriminate targets. A Dispersed Fourier Transform Spectrometer is expanded by modification and augmentation of existing optical, mechanical, and software components to enable basic terrestrial use while providing specific optimization for various applications which are designed with emphasis on the sensitivity of the Dispersed Fourier Transform Spectrometer.