Convex-Grating Spectrometer With Two Spherical Mirrors

The figure shows the basic optical configuration of an improved all-reflecting imaging spectrometer. This spectrometer would differ from older spectrometers in several respects, one being its convex spherical diffraction grating: heretofore, spectrometers have contained, variously, concave or plane diffraction gratings. The specific design, featuring the convex grating and two concave spherical mirrors, would afford a wide field of view and a compact layout that would make the size of this spectrometer about 1/3 that of a spectrometer of typical older design and similar capabilities. The sphericity of the optical surfaces would make fabrication relatively easy and inexpensive.