This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project explores a liquid crystal (LC) etalon design that capitalizes on solid state Fabry Perot etalons, which are tunable by altering an applied potential. Phase I will construct prototype systems that use the precision tuning capability of a number of smaller LC etalons to produce a mosaic that, when tuned, will act as a single etalon of larger aperture. The mosaic etalons can be produced with diameters far exceeding those of traditional monolithic etalons, and can retain the ease of use inherent in LC etalons. It is thought that the LC technique, that is the centerpiece of the instrument, will become an essential component of future spectroscopy. Commercial applications are expected in remote sensing of regulated environmental pollutants, replacement of current large aperture interference filters for spectral imaging applications, measurements utilizing spectroscopic remote sensing or process spectroscopy, and passive detection of clear air turbulence.
