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Polarimetric characterization of segmented mirrors.
Applied Optics
|October 18, 2022
Summary
Telescope aging affects polarimetric properties due to segment oxidation, especially in blue light for aluminum coatings. Strategic segment replacement can minimize this instrumental polarization.
Area of Science:
- Optical Engineering
- Astronomy Instrumentation
Background:
- Segmented primary mirrors in telescopes can lose axial symmetry.
- Aging of individual mirror segments, particularly oxidation, impacts optical performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how the loss of axial symmetry affects telescope polarimetric properties.
- To analyze the impact of varying aging stages of segmented primary mirror components.
Main Methods:
- Simulating the polarimetric behavior of a telescope with segmented primary mirrors.
- Modeling the effects of segment oxidation and dust contamination on optical properties.
- Analyzing wavelength-dependent polarization changes.
Main Results:
- Oxidation of mirror segments introduces significant cross-talk terms, degrading polarimetric accuracy.
- The effect of oxidation is most pronounced in the blue visible spectrum for aluminum coatings.
- Dust contamination showed a negligible impact on the system's polarimetric behavior.
Conclusions:
- Instrumental polarization in telescopes is sensitive to the aging and oxidation state of segmented primary mirrors.
- Wavelength-dependent effects of oxidation must be considered in telescope design and maintenance.
- Careful planning of segment substitution sequences can mitigate detrimental polarization effects.
