Characterization of the wind imaging interferometer.

The Wind Imaging Interferometer is a field-widened Michelson interferometer onboard the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite. The characterization of the instrument required a pixel-by-pixel evaluation of the instrument performance. Some of the configurations, techniques, and results of the characterization are summarized. Throughput was excellent and equivalent to a total system quantum efficiency of ~10%. Localized spatial noise in response has been attributed to scattering from residual surface effects on the CCD. Instrument visibility factors greater than 90% were measured with distinct distribution patterns over the field of view that were different for the night and day apertures. The instrument phase for zero wind was determined with laboratory airglow sources.