1995•Publications of the Astronomical Society of the PacificOpen access

Spectropolarimetry. 2: Circular polarization optics and techniques

Robert W. Goodrich, M. H. Cohen, Angela Putney

Abstract

We discuss the design of a Pancharatnam "superachromatic" quarter-wave plate and its application in two circular spectropolarimeters. The alignment and calibration of the polarimetry optics is discussed, as well as the data reduction techniques. In particular, the differences between reducing linear polarimetry data and reducing circular polarimetry are emphasized.

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Key concepts: Polarimetry, Circular polarization, Optics, Polarization (electrochemistry), Physics, Waveplate, Linear polarization, Data reduction