Acousto-optical systems for the images spectra analysis

Two different acousto-optical tunable filter based imagers for acquisition the spectral data of optical objects are described. The first imaging spectrometer is intended mostly for astronomical observations and studying the planets and emission objects: planetary nebulae and Seyfert galaxies. The spectrometer is based on the tunable TeO2 acousto-optical filter that combines simultaneously both high spatial resolution and high spectral resolution. The acousto-optical filter with a 13 angstrom pass band at wavelength 6328 angstrom operates in the wavelength range 6300-11000 angstrom. The spatial resolution of the spectrometer is about 1 angular sec. The geometry of acolisto-optical interaction as well as design peculiarities of the acousto-optical filter are discussed. The astronomical observations were performed at the Crimea laboratory of Stemberg Astronomical Institute. The telescope was 600 mm f/12.5 Cassegraine Zeiss-600. Series of spectral images of the planetary nebulae NGC 7027 in the vicinity of the 6563 angstrom H alpha and 6586 angstrom [II] emitting lines are obtained. The performed measurements of the rapid spectral variability of H alpha emission line in the nuclear of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 (redshift Z=0.003) are also discussed. In this paper we describe also the laboratory visible - to - near infrared acousto-optical spectral imager. TeO2 based acousto-optical filter with 15 angstrom pass band and tuning wavelength range 6000 - 14000 A is used in this imager. Image - forming optics, RF electronics and factors influencing on the image quality are discussed.