Liquid Crystal Polarimeter for solid state imaging of solar vector magnetic fields

Laurence J. November; Lawrence M. Wilkins

doi:10.1117/12.186671

14 September 1994 Liquid Crystal Polarimeter for solid state imaging of solar vector magnetic fields

Laurence J. November, Lawrence M. Wilkins

Proceedings Volume 2265, Polarization Analysis and Measurement II; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.186671
Event: SPIE's 1994 International Symposium on Optics, Imaging, and Instrumentation, 1994, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

The Liquid Crystal Polarimeter (LCP) is a low-voltage complete Stokes polarimeter and spectral analyzer designed for measuring solar vector magnetic fields. The polarimeter consists of polarization and spectral analyzer sections each containing multiple commercially available nematic and ferroelectric liquid crystals which are modulated in phase at up to 31.5 kHz frequency. Used in conjunction with a Lyot birefringent filter and 2 ccds, the system provides a complete polarization/spectral measurement for solid-state direct imaging of the vector magnetic flux, Doppler velocity, intensity, and equivalent width in a spectral line. Simultaneous 2 ccd imaging gives reduced atmospheric seeing systematics, and automatic ccd gain and dark-current correction. The liquid-crystal design provides a considerable simplification to previous designs with greatly improved speed, sensitivity, reliability, and accuracy. Some of our tests of liquid crystals and of the LCP are described.

Citation Download Citation

Laurence J. November and Lawrence M. Wilkins "Liquid Crystal Polarimeter for solid state imaging of solar vector magnetic fields", Proc. SPIE 2265, Polarization Analysis and Measurement II, (14 September 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.186671

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