Comparison of commercially available polarizing gratings for mid-infrared studies

Michelle J. Creech-Eakman; Thomas A. Leonard; Jason Geis; Eugene Serabyn

doi:10.1117/12.458650

14 February 2003 Comparison of commercially available polarizing gratings for mid-infrared studies

Michelle J. Creech-Eakman, Thomas A. Leonard, Jason Geis, Eugene Serabyn

Proceedings Volume 4843, Polarimetry in Astronomy; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.458650
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

We present the results of lab comparison tests of performance for several commercially available grating polarizers for use at mid-infrared wavelengths. The tests were done using a polarized laser diode source (9.2 $\mu$m) and photoconductive HgCdTe single pixel detector. We describe some basic equations governing quantification of polarization performance, our instrumental test setup and our results. There is a large difference in the contrast produced by polarizers from different companies. Availability of high-transmission, high-contrast polarizers for use at near and mid-infrared wavelengths will make it possible to routinely characterize polarization of astronomical sources, such as physical properties of dust grains and magnetic field lines around sources of interest. Such polarizers will also be valuable in the development of the instrumentation needed for infrared nulling interferometry.

Citation Download Citation

Michelle J. Creech-Eakman, Thomas A. Leonard, Jason Geis, and Eugene Serabyn "Comparison of commercially available polarizing gratings for mid-infrared studies", Proc. SPIE 4843, Polarimetry in Astronomy, (14 February 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.458650

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