Computer-controlled near-infrared polarimeter featuring a new type of stress-birefringent modulator

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Publ. Astron. Soc. Pac.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/132248· OSTI ID:7051908

West, S C; Schmidt, G D; Pawlicki, R; Rieke, G H; Angel, R P

The development of an astronomical polarimeter for the spectral region 1-2.6 microns is reported. The instrument incorporates a fused silica stress-birefringent modulator capable of producing square-wave polarimetric modulation of over 95 percent efficiency from dc to 2 Hz and quarter-wave retardation at wavelengths up to the K photometric bands. Possible applications of this instrument are examined, including the search for comparatively weak magnetic fields in white dwarf accretion binaries, the study of the nature of polarization in faint active galactic nuclei, and near-IR survey of isolated magnetic white dwarfs. 32 references.

• Research Organization: Mount Wilson and Las Campanas Observatories, Pasadena, CA (USA); Steward Observatory, Tucson, AZ (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7051908
• Journal Information: Publ. Astron. Soc. Pac.; (United States), Journal Name: Publ. Astron. Soc. Pac.; (United States) Vol. 100; ISSN PASPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640100* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ASTROPHYSICS
BINARY STARS
BIREFRINGENCE
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DWARF STARS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GALAXY NUCLEI
INFRARED RADIATION
MAGNETIC STARS
NEAR INFRARED RADIATION
POLARIMETERS
POLARIZATION
RADIATIONS
REFRACTION
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
USES
WHITE DWARF STARS