8,514 research outputs found
On Fabry P\'erot Etalon based Instruments. I. The Isotropic Case
Here we assess the spectral and imaging properties of Fabry P\'erot etalons
when located in solar magnetographs. We discuss the chosen configuration
(collimated or telecentric) for both ideal and real cases. For the real cases,
we focus on the effects caused by the polychromatic illumination of the filter
by the irregularities in the optical thickness of the etalon and by deviations
from the ideal illumination in both setups. We first review the general
properties of Fabry P\'erots and we then address the different sources of
degradation of the spectral transmission profile. We review and extend the
general treatment of defects followed by different authors. We discuss the
differences between the point spread functions (PSFs) of the collimated and
telecentric configurations for both monochromatic and (real)
quasi-monochromatic illumination of the etalon. The PSF corresponding to
collimated mounts is shown to have a better performance, although it varies
from point to point due to an apodization of the image inherent to this
configuration. This is in contrast to the (perfect) telecentric case, where the
PSF remains constant but produces artificial velocities and magnetic field
signals because of its strong spectral dependence. We find that the unavoidable
presence of imperfections in the telecentrism produces a decrease of flux of
photons and a shift, a broadening and a loss of symmetrization of both the
spectral and PSF profiles over the field of view, thus compromising their
advantages over the collimated configuration. We evaluate these effects for
different apertures of the incident beam.Comment: 20 pages 22 figures 2 Appendice
Evershed clouds as precursors of moving magnetic features around sunspots
The relation between the Evershed flow and moving magnetic features (MMFs) is
studied using high-cadence, simultaneous spectropolarimetric measurements of a
sunspot in visible (630.2 nm) and near-infrared (1565 nm) lines. Doppler
velocities, magnetograms, and total linear polarization maps are calculated
from the observed Stokes profiles. We follow the temporal evolution of two
Evershed clouds that move radially outward along the same penumbral filament.
Eventually, the clouds cross the visible border of the spot and enter the moat
region, where they become MMFs. The flux patch farther from the sunspot has the
same polarity of the spot, while the MMF closer to it has opposite polarity and
exhibits abnormal circular polarization profiles. Our results provide strong
evidence that at least some MMFs are the continuation of the penumbral Evershed
flow into the moat. This, in turn, suggests that MMFs are magnetically
connected to sunspots.Comment: To appear in ApJ Letters, Vol 649, 2006 September 20 issu
Modification of the optical response of alpha quartz via the deposition of gold nanoparticles in etched ion tracks
”This study addresses the experimental methods used to develop and characterize plasmonic devices capable of modifying the optical response of alpha quartz via the deposition of gold nanoparticles in etched ion tracks. In the first part of the research, the microstructural characterization of latent and etched ion tracks produced in alpha quartz (α-SiO2) is presented. Single crystals of α-SiO2 were irradiated with two highly energetic ions to different nominal fluences. As expected, the morphology of the resulting ion tracks depends on the energy of the incident ion and their stopping powers within the target material. Subsequent chemical vapor-etching was conducted to create nanowells in the crystal structure. The etching process resulted in facetted nanowells, whose superficial dimensions increased with etching times and etchant concentrations. It was found that the etching rate is highly dependent on crystal orientation. Additionally, Raman spectroscopic analysis of the phonon confinement effect and strain due to the ion tracks is presented. Results show that the optical phonon modes undergo a shift towards higher frequencies while broadening asymmetrically compared to the unirradiated samples due to phonon confinement effects. In the second part of the research, the deposition of gold nanoparticles inside of the nanowells was conducted. The modification of the optical response of quartz by depositing gold nanoparticles in the nanowells is discussed. An increase in the Raman intensity was observed thanks to the enhancement of the electromagnetic field produced by localized surface plasmons at the surface of the gold nanoparticles. The deposition of nanoparticles in etched ion tracks in fused silica was also achieved and is also briefly discussed”--Abstract, page iv
- …