Design of a Mid-IR polarimeter for SOFIA

C. Packham; M. Escuti; G. Boreman; I. Quijano; B. Franklin; D. J. Axon; J. H. Hough; T. J. Jones; P. F. Roche; M. Tamura; C. M. Telesco; N. Levenson; J. M. Rodgers; J. P. McGuire

doi:10.1117/12.789843

Design of a Mid-IR polarimeter for SOFIA

C. Packham, M. Escuti, G. Boreman, I. Quijano, B. Franklin, D. J. Axon, J. H. Hough, T. J. Jones, P. F. Roche, M. Tamura, C. M. Telesco, N. Levenson, J. M. Rodgers, J. P. McGuire

Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

6 Scopus citations

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.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy II
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789843
State	Published - 2008
Event	Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy II - Marseille, France Duration: Jun 23 2008 → Jun 28 2008

Publication series

Name	Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume	7014
ISSN (Print)	0277-786X

Other

Other	Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy II
Country/Territory	France
City	Marseille
Period	6/23/08 → 6/28/08

Keywords

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

Publisher link

10.1117/12.789843

Find It

Find It at U of M Libraries

Cite this

Packham, C., Escuti, M., Boreman, G., Quijano, I., Franklin, B., Axon, D. J., Hough, J. H., Jones, T. J., Roche, P. F., Tamura, M., Telesco, C. M., Levenson, N., Rodgers, J. M., & McGuire, J. P. (2008). Design of a Mid-IR polarimeter for SOFIA. In Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy II Article 70142H (Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering; Vol. 7014). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789843

Packham, C, Escuti, M, Boreman, G, Quijano, I, Franklin, B, Axon, DJ, Hough, JH, Jones, TJ, Roche, PF, Tamura, M, Telesco, CM, Levenson, N, Rodgers, JM & McGuire, JP 2008, Design of a Mid-IR polarimeter for SOFIA. in Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy II., 70142H, Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, vol. 7014, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy II, Marseille, France, 6/23/08. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789843

@inproceedings{e1777bc7045c4f4a80c0687f28d93ff1,

title = "Design of a Mid-IR polarimeter for SOFIA",

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.",

keywords = "Airborne astronomy, Grain alignment, Imaging, Infrared, Instrumentation, Magnetic fields, Polarimetry, Polarization, SOFIA, Spectroscopy",

author = "C. Packham and M. Escuti and G. Boreman and I. Quijano and B. Franklin and Axon, {D. J.} and Hough, {J. H.} and Jones, {T. J.} and Roche, {P. F.} and M. Tamura and Telesco, {C. M.} and N. Levenson and Rodgers, {J. M.} and McGuire, {J. P.}",

year = "2008",

doi = "10.1117/12.789843",

language = "English (US)",

isbn = "9780819472243",

series = "Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering",

booktitle = "Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy II",

note = "Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy II ; Conference date: 23-06-2008 Through 28-06-2008",

}

TY - GEN

T1 - Design of a Mid-IR polarimeter for SOFIA

AU - Packham, C.

AU - Escuti, M.

AU - Boreman, G.

AU - Quijano, I.

AU - Franklin, B.

AU - Axon, D. J.

AU - Hough, J. H.

AU - Jones, T. J.

AU - Roche, P. F.

AU - Tamura, M.

AU - Telesco, C. M.

AU - Levenson, N.

AU - Rodgers, J. M.

AU - McGuire, J. P.

PY - 2008

Y1 - 2008

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Airborne astronomy

KW - Grain alignment

KW - Imaging

KW - Infrared

KW - Instrumentation

KW - Magnetic fields

KW - Polarimetry

KW - Polarization

KW - SOFIA

KW - Spectroscopy

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=66249090582&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=66249090582&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1117/12.789843

DO - 10.1117/12.789843

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:66249090582

SN - 9780819472243

T3 - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

BT - Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy II

T2 - Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy II

Y2 - 23 June 2008 through 28 June 2008

ER -

Design of a Mid-IR polarimeter for SOFIA

Abstract

Publication series

Other

Keywords

Publisher link

Find It

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this