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The Hertz/VPM Polarimeter: Design and First Light ObservationsWe present first results of Hertz/VPM, the first submillimeter polarimeter employing the dual Variable-delay Polarization Modulator (dual-VPM). This device differs from previously used polarization modulators in that it, operates in translation rather than mechanical rotation. We discuss the basic theory behind this device, and its potential advantages over the commonly used half wave plate (HFVP). The dual-VPM was tested both at the Submillimeter Telescope Observatory (SMTO) and in the lab. In each case we present a detailed description of the setup. We discovered nonideal behavior in the system. This is at least in part due to properties of the VPM wire grids (diameter, spacing) employed in our experiment. Despite this, we found that the dual-VPM system is robust, operating with high efficiency and low instrumental polarization. This device is well suited for air and space-borne applications.
Document ID
20080032513
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Krejny, Megan
(Northwestern Univ. Evanston, IL, United States)
Chuss, David
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
d'Aubigny, Christian Drouet
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Golish, Dathon
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Houde, Martin
(University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada)
Hui, Howard
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Kulesa, Craig
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Loewenstein, Robert F.
(Yerkes Observatory Williams Bay, WI, United States)
Moseley, Harvey
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Novak, Giles
(Northwestern Univ. Evanston, IL, United States)
Voellmer, George
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Walker, Chris
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Wollack, Ed
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2008
Subject Category
Instrumentation And Photography
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG05GL31H
CONTRACT_GRANT: ARPA04-0077-0150
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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