Martin-Puplett interferometer: an analysis

A detailed analysis is presented of the Michelson polarizing interferometer suggested by Martin and Puplett. This instrument has many favorable properties for use as a far IR Fourier spectrometer. The effect of misalignments and imperfections of the optical components on the instrumental performance is calculated. Based on these results, we give a method of aligning the interferometer which optimizes its performance. In addition, this instrument may be used to measure the optical transfer function of a component in the output beam as a function of both spatial and optical frequency. A procedure is described by which this may be done.