A Fourier transform spectrometer for ground testing of the Herschel/SPIRE instrument

The Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) is one of three instruments on the European Space Agency's Herschel mission. A detailed understanding of the SPIRE instrument is essential for a successful mission. In particular, it is important to characterize both the in-band spectral profile, and any out-of-band spectral leaks, which would severely degrade performance. A test Fourier Transform Spectrometer (TFTS), with its broad spectral coverage and intermediate spectral resolution, was selected for the spectral characterization of SPIRE. The integration of the TFTS with the existing Ground Support Equipment of the Herschel/SPIRE test facility at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory imposed several mechanical, optical, electrical, and software constraints. In this paper we describe the design and implementation of the TFTS, and present preliminary results from its use in the SPIRE verification and performance tests.