Measurement Of The Polarization Properties Of The NSO Vacuum Tower Telescope: Physically Constrained Approach

David F. Elmore

doi:10.1117/12.944296

29 June 1988 Measurement Of The Polarization Properties Of The NSO Vacuum Tower Telescope: Physically Constrained Approach

David F. Elmore

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 0891, Polarization Considerations for Optical Systems; (1988) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.944296
Event: 1988 Los Angeles Symposium: O-E/LASE '88, 1988, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Measurements of the polarizing properties of the National Solar Observatory Vacuum Tower Telescope were taken from October 1986 to January 1987 using the NSO single channel Stokesmeter. A model of the telescope polarization using Mueller calculus and constrained by physical parameters of the instrument was derived. The inverse of this telescope matrix, applied to calibrated Stokes measurements yielded an RMS error of the inferred fit to the input relative to the actual input, of about 1% for 100% linearly polarized input light and better than 0.1% for unpolarized light. This is approximately the level of uncertainty in the calibration of the Stokesmeter. The main polarizing elements of the telescope were turret mirrors, retarders and diattenuators(partial polarizers), and the entrance window, which was a weak retarder.

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David F. Elmore "Measurement Of The Polarization Properties Of The NSO Vacuum Tower Telescope: Physically Constrained Approach", Proc. SPIE 0891, Polarization Considerations for Optical Systems, (29 June 1988); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.944296

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