Understanding polarization accuracy: the effect of mirror coating non-uniformity on instrument polarization

Amanda J. White; David M. Harrington

doi:10.1117/12.2630684

29 August 2022 Understanding polarization accuracy: the effect of mirror coating non-uniformity on instrument polarization

Amanda J. White, David M. Harrington

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12188, Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation V; 121881R (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630684
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2022, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Abstract

Astronomical mirror coatings are often metals protected by multiple layers of dielectrics. Varying the thickness and layering of dielectrics causes a significant dependence on the polarization properties (retardance, diattenuation, and depolarization) of reflected light across all wavelengths. Polarization further varies with angle of incidence and mirror shape. In models predicting polarization performance, assumptions on the properties and uniformity of coated optical surfaces are usually made. Here, we present how a non-uniformly applied coating affects polarization performance and causes depolarization across an aperture. We then assess the differences from assuming a uniform surface. Using the NSF’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope as an example of a complex, many-optic, articulated system, we also compare depolarization effects of mirror coating non-uniformity to other known sources of systematic polarization error on DKIST.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Amanda J. White and David M. Harrington "Understanding polarization accuracy: the effect of mirror coating non-uniformity on instrument polarization", Proc. SPIE 12188, Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation V, 121881R (29 August 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630684

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available