The objective of this program is to develop technology for a space-borne imaging spectropolarimeter utilizing acoustic-optic tunable filters (AOTFs). The major significant innovation of this proposed program is to develop an observational scheme to return high quality I, Q and U Stokes parameters utilizing the performance advantages of AOTFs. Specific innovations include: extended AOTF spectral coverage with a minimum of devices; development of innovative transducer and/or AOTF designs to provide flexible choices of passband shape and positions; and the use of new materials to develop AOTFs and polarizers capable of efficient operation to 2000 angstroms, where performance has been limited the development of AOTF-specific optical designs. In addition to device innovations, novel data reduction and compression techniques will be addressed.
Potential Commercial Applications: Uses could occur in geological, oceanographic, and agricultural fields and for survey of resources.
