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

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 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), Vol. 100
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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