1,075 research outputs found
Fast and optimal broad-band Stokes/Mueller polarimeter design by the use of a genetic algorithm
A fast multichannel Stokes/Mueller polarimeter with no mechanically moving
parts has been designed to have close to optimal performance from 430-2000 nm
by applying a genetic algorithm. Stokes (Mueller) polarimeters are
characterized by their ability to analyze the full Stokes (Mueller) vector
(matrix) of the incident light. This ability is characterized by the condition
number, , which directly influences the measurement noise in
polarimetric measurements. Due to the spectral dependence of the retardance in
birefringent materials, it is not trivial to design a polarimeter using
dispersive components. We present here both a method to do this optimization
using a genetic algorithm, as well as simulation results. Our results include
fast, broad-band polarimeter designs for spectrographic use, based on 2 and 3
Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals, whose material properties are taken from
measured values. The results promise to reduce the measurement noise
significantly over previous designs, up to a factor of 4.5 for a Mueller
polarimeter, in addition to extending the spectral range.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Optics Expres
Measurements of the neutron electric to magnetic form factor ratio G_(En)/G_(Mn) via the ^2H(e, e'n)^1H reaction to Q^2 = 1.45 (GeV/c)^2
We report values for the neutron electric tomagnetic form factor ratio,G_(En)/G_(Mn), deduced frommeasurements
of the neutron’s recoil polarization in the quasielastic ^2H(e, e'n)^1H reaction, at three Q^2 values of 0.45, 1.13,
and 1.45 (GeV/c)^2. The data at Q^2 = 1.13 and 1.45 (GeV/c)^2 are the first direct experimental measurements of
G_(En) employing polarization degrees of freedom in the Q^2 > 1 (GeV/c)^2 region and stand as the most precise
determinations of G_(En) for all values of Q^2
Submillimeter Polarimetry with PolKa, a reflection-type modulator for the APEX telescope
Imaging polarimetry is an important tool for the study of cosmic magnetic
fields. In our Galaxy, polarization levels of a few up to 10\% are
measured in the submillimeter dust emission from molecular clouds and in the
synchrotron emission from supernova remnants. Only few techniques exist to
image the distribution of polarization angles, as a means of tracing the
plane-of-sky projection of the magnetic field orientation. At submillimeter
wavelengths, polarization is either measured as the differential total power of
polarization-sensitive bolometer elements, or by modulating the polarization of
the signal. Bolometer arrays such as LABOCA at the APEX telescope are used to
observe the continuum emission from fields as large as \sim0\fdg2 in
diameter. %Here we present the results from the commissioning of PolKa, a
polarimeter for Here we present PolKa, a polarimeter for LABOCA with a
reflection-type waveplate of at least 90\% efficiency. The modulation
efficiency depends mainly on the sampling and on the angular velocity of the
waveplate. For the data analysis the concept of generalized synchronous
demodulation is introduced. The instrumental polarization towards a point
source is at the level of \%, increasing to a few percent at the
db contour of the main beam. A method to correct for its effect in
observations of extended sources is presented. Our map of the polarized
synchrotron emission from the Crab nebula is in agreement with structures
observed at radio and optical wavelengths. The linear polarization measured in
OMC1 agrees with results from previous studies, while the high sensitivity of
LABOCA enables us to also map the polarized emission of the Orion Bar, a
prototypical photon-dominated region
The polarization properties of a tilted polarizer
Polarizers are key components in optical science and technology. Thus,
understanding the action of a polarizer beyond oversimplifying approximations
is crucial. In this work, we study the interaction of a polarizing interface
with an obliquely incident wave experimentally. To this end, a set of Mueller
matrices is acquired employing a novel procedure robust against experimental
imperfections. We connect our observation to a geometric model, useful to
predict the effect of polarizers on complex light fields.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure
Removal of Spectro-Polarimetric Fringes by 2D Pattern Recognition
We present a pattern-recognition based approach to the problem of removal of
polarized fringes from spectro-polarimetric data. We demonstrate that 2D
Principal Component Analysis can be trained on a given spectro-polarimetric map
in order to identify and isolate fringe structures from the spectra. This
allows us in principle to reconstruct the data without the fringe component,
providing an effective and clean solution to the problem. The results presented
in this paper point in the direction of revising the way that science and
calibration data should be planned for a typical spectro-polarimetric observing
run.Comment: ApJ, in pres
Highlights of the SLD Physics Program at the SLAC Linear Collider
Starting in 1989, and continuing through the 1990s, high-energy physics
witnessed a flowering of precision measurements in general and tests of the
standard model in particular, led by e+e- collider experiments operating at the
Z0 resonance. Key contributions to this work came from the SLD collaboration at
the SLAC Linear Collider. By exploiting the unique capabilities of this
pioneering accelerator and the SLD detector, including a polarized electron
beam, exceptionally small beam dimensions, and a CCD pixel vertex detector, SLD
produced a broad array of electroweak, heavy-flavor, and QCD measurements. Many
of these results are one of a kind or represent the world's standard in
precision. This article reviews the highlights of the SLD physics program, with
an eye toward associated advances in experimental technique, and the
contribution of these measurements to our dramatically improved present
understanding of the standard model and its possible extensions.Comment: To appear in 2001 Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science; 78
pages, 31 figures; A version with higher resolution figures can be seen at
http://www.slac.stanford.edu/pubs/slacpubs/8000/slac-pub-8985.html; Second
version incorporates minor changes to the tex
A burst chasing x-ray polarimeter
Gamma-ray bursts are one of the most powerful explosions in the universe and have been detected out to distances of almost 13 billion light years. The exact origin of these energetic explosions is still unknown but the resulting huge release of energy is thought to create a highly relativistic jet of material and a power-law distribution of electrons. There are several theories describing the origin of the prompt GRB emission that currently cannot be distinguished. Measurements of the linear polarization would provide unique and important constraints on the mechanisms thought to drive these powerful explosions. We present the design of a sensitive, and extremely versatile gamma-ray burst polarimeter. The instrument is a photoelectric polarimeter based on a time-projection chamber. The photoelectric time-projection technique combines high sensitivity with broad band-pass and is potentially the most powerful method between 2 and 100 keV where the photoelectric effect is the dominant interaction process. We present measurements of polarized and unpolarized X-rays obtained with a prototype detector and describe the two mission concepts; the Gamma-Ray Burst Polarimeter (GRBP) for the U.S. Naval Academy satellite MidSTAR-2, and the Low Energy Polarimeter (LEP) onboard POET, a broadband polarimetry concept for a small explorer mission
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