Abstract
A photoelectric polarimeter for measuring line profiles in all four Stokes parameters has been built and operates on the SPO 40 cm coronagraph in a joint project with Sacramento Peak Observatory. A description of the optical and electronic systems and the calibration scheme is presented. Performance parameters determined from observations are also given. The polarimeter package consisting of a pair of KDP's, a quarter wave plate, and a polarizing beam splitter is located at the prime focus of the coronagraph. Modulation of the KDP's encodes polarization information into intensity signals that are electronically detected. The scanning of the spectrum, accomplished by rotating the grating, permits Stokes line profiles to be recorded on magnetic tape for processing. The instrument can be used to scan any line from 3900 to 7000 Å with a spectral resolution of 0.01 Å. Polarizations as small as 0.001% are detectable. The polarimeter and observing system are computer controlled.
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Baur, T.G., House, L.L. & Hull, H.K. A spectrum scanning Stokes polarimeter. Sol Phys 65, 111–146 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00151388
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00151388