Title

Design Of A Mid-Ir Polarimeter For Sofia

Keywords

Airborne astronomy; Grain alignment; Imaging; Infrared; Instrumentation; Magnetic fields; Polarimetry; Polarization; SOFIA; Spectroscopy

Abstract

Mid-infrared polarimetry remains an underexploited technique; where available it is limited in spectral coverage from the ground, and conspicuously absent from the Spitzer, JWST and Herschel instrument suites. The unique characteristics of SOFIA afford unprecedented spectral coverage and sensitivity in the mid-infrared waveband. We discuss the preliminary optical design for a 5-40 m spectro-polarimeter for use on SOFIA, the SOFIA Mid-InfraRed Polarimeter (SMIRPh). The design furthers the existing 5-40μm imaging and spectroscopic capabilities of SOFIA, and draws on experience gained through the University of Florida's mid-IR imagers, spectrometer and polarimeter designs of T-ReCS and CanariCam. We pay special attention to the challenges of obtaining polarimetric materials suitable at both these wavelengths and cryogenic temperatures. Finally, we (briefly) present an overview of science highlights that could be performed from a 5-40μm imaging- and spectro-polarimeter on SOFIA. Combined with the synergy between the possible future far-IR polarimeter, Hale, this instrument would provide the SOFIA community with unique and exciting science capabilities, leaving a unique scientific legacy.

Publication Date

12-1-2008

Publication Title

Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

Volume

7014

Number of Pages

-

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789843

Socpus ID

66249090582 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/66249090582

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS