Wide-angle Michelson interferometer based on LCoS

A wide-angle Michelson interferometer based on LCoS is proposed as a novel device with no moving part for effectively measuring the upper atmospheric temperature and wind. The testing experiment gives a sequence of interferograms which can be used for evaluating the performances of this device through an image processing. The maximum phase modulations of 2.13 pi and 1.58 pi for 532 nm and 633 nm respectively can cover the desired detection range. The OPD variations with regard to incident angle are within 0.59 wavelengths. The instrument visibilities of 0.226-0.146 for both wavelengths have the decreasing trends with regard to the increasing incident angles. The suggestions for improving performances are also given. The results have proved its effectiveness which can satisfy the requirements for atmospheric wind measurement. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.