Imaging Fourier transform spectrometers (IFTS) allow for very high spectral resolution hyperspectral imaging while using moderate size 2D focal plane arrays in a staring mode. This is not the case for slit scanning dispersive imaging spectrometers where spectral sampling is related to the focal plane pixel count along the spectral dimension of the 2D focal plane used in such an instrument. This can become a major issue in the longwave infrared (LWIR) where the operability and yield of highly sensitivity arrays (i.e.HgCdTe) of large dimension are generally poor. However using an IFTS introduces its own unique set of issues and tradeoffs. In this paper we develop simplified equations for describing the sensitivity of an IFTS, including the effects of data windowing. These equations provide useful insights into the optical, focal plane and operational design trade space that must be considered when examining IFTS concepts aimed at a specific sensitivity and spectral resolution application. The approach is illustrated by computing the LWIR noise-equivalent spectral radiance (NESR) corresponding to the NASA Geosynchronous Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS) concept assuming a proven and reasonable noise-equivalent irradiance (NEI) capability for the focal plane.
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Keller et al. (2005) studied this question.