Polarization Gratings: A Novel Polarimetric Component for Astronomical Instruments

    Authors

    C. Packham; M. Escuti; J. Ginn; C. Oh; I. Quijano;G. Boreman

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Publ. Astron. Soc. Pac.

    Keywords

    ADAPTIVE OPTICS; LIQUID-CRYSTALS; EFFICIENCY; DIFFRACTION; PERFORMANCE; DIACRYLATE; TELESCOPE; NGC-1068; Astronomy & Astrophysics

    Abstract

    Polarization gratings (PGs) have been recently been developed for ultraefficient liquid crystal displays, nonmechanical optical beam steering, and telecommunication devices at optical and near-infrared wavelengths (0.4-2.0 mu m). A PG simultaneously acts as both a spectroscopic and polarimetric disperser for circularly polarized light. With the use of a quarter-wave retarder (or analog) to convert linearly to circularly polarized light, these devices can be used as linear polarimetric analyzers. PGs offer high throughput and high levels of birefringence and can currently be constructed inexpensively to diameters of 150 mm, and development projects are in progress to double that size. In this article we report on the characterization of a PG sample at mid-infrared wavelengths (2-40 mu m), including the birefringence, throughput, spectral response, and cold cycling survivability. We discuss these devices in the context of astronomical polarimetry, especially as the polarimetric components for a conceptual study of a SOFIA-based polarimeter.

    Journal Title

    Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific

    Volume

    122

    Issue/Number

    898

    Publication Date

    1-1-2010

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    1471

    Last Page

    1482

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000285335300006

    ISSN

    0004-6280

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