Far-infrared polarimetry from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

John E. Vaillancourt; David T. Chuss; Richard M. Crutcher; Jessie L. Dotson; C. Darren Dowell; D. Al Harper; Roger H. Hildebrand; Terry J. Jones; Alexandre Lazarian; Giles Novak; Michael W. Werner

doi:10.1117/12.730922

Far-infrared polarimetry from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

John E. Vaillancourt, David T. Chuss, Richard M. Crutcher, Jessie L. Dotson, C. Darren Dowell, D. Al Harper, Roger H. Hildebrand, Terry J. Jones, Alexandre Lazarian, Giles Novak, Michael W. Werner

Physics and Astronomy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

Multi-wavelength imaging polarimetry at far-infrared wavelengths has proven to be an excellent tool for studying the physical properties of dust, molecular clouds, and magnetic fields in the interstellar medium. Although these wavelengths are only observable from airborne or space-based platforms, no first-generation instrument for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is presently designed with Polarimetrie capabilities. We study several options for upgrading the High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera (HAWC) to a sensitive FIR Polarimeter. HAWC is a 12 × 32 pixel bolometer camera designed to cover the 53-215 μm spectral range in 4 colors, all at diffraction-limited resolution (5 - 21 arcsec). Upgrade options include: (1) an external set of optics which modulates the polarization state of the incoming radiation before entering the cryostat window; (2) internal polarizing optics; and (3) a replacement of the current detector array with two state-of-the-art superconducting bolometer arrays, an upgrade of the HAWC camera as well as Polarimeter. We discuss a range of science studies which will be possible with these upgrades including magnetic fields in star-forming regions and galaxies and the wavelength-dependence of polarization.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XV
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/12.730922
State	Published - 2007
Event	Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XV - San Diego, CA, United States Duration: Aug 27 2007 → Aug 30 2007

Publication series

Name	Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume	6678
ISSN (Print)	0277-786X

Other

Other	Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XV
Country/Territory	United States
City	San Diego, CA
Period	8/27/07 → 8/30/07

Keywords

Airborne astronomy
Dust
Far-infrared astronomy
Instrumentation
Interstellar medium
Magnetic fields
Polarimetry
SOFIA

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Condensed Matter Physics
Computer Science Applications
Applied Mathematics
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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10.1117/12.730922

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Vaillancourt, J. E., Chuss, D. T., Crutcher, R. M., Dotson, J. L., Dowell, C. D., Al Harper, D., Hildebrand, R. H., Jones, T. J., Lazarian, A., Novak, G., & Werner, M. W. (2007). Far-infrared polarimetry from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. In Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XV Article 66780D (Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering; Vol. 6678). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.730922

@inproceedings{327dc51e2f1c4400ae05839d6c1c4851,

title = "Far-infrared polarimetry from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy",

abstract = "Multi-wavelength imaging polarimetry at far-infrared wavelengths has proven to be an excellent tool for studying the physical properties of dust, molecular clouds, and magnetic fields in the interstellar medium. Although these wavelengths are only observable from airborne or space-based platforms, no first-generation instrument for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is presently designed with Polarimetrie capabilities. We study several options for upgrading the High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera (HAWC) to a sensitive FIR Polarimeter. HAWC is a 12 × 32 pixel bolometer camera designed to cover the 53-215 μm spectral range in 4 colors, all at diffraction-limited resolution (5 - 21 arcsec). Upgrade options include: (1) an external set of optics which modulates the polarization state of the incoming radiation before entering the cryostat window; (2) internal polarizing optics; and (3) a replacement of the current detector array with two state-of-the-art superconducting bolometer arrays, an upgrade of the HAWC camera as well as Polarimeter. We discuss a range of science studies which will be possible with these upgrades including magnetic fields in star-forming regions and galaxies and the wavelength-dependence of polarization.",

keywords = "Airborne astronomy, Dust, Far-infrared astronomy, Instrumentation, Interstellar medium, Magnetic fields, Polarimetry, SOFIA",

author = "Vaillancourt, {John E.} and Chuss, {David T.} and Crutcher, {Richard M.} and Dotson, {Jessie L.} and Dowell, {C. Darren} and {Al Harper}, D. and Hildebrand, {Roger H.} and Jones, {Terry J.} and Alexandre Lazarian and Giles Novak and Werner, {Michael W.}",

year = "2007",

doi = "10.1117/12.730922",

language = "English (US)",

isbn = "9780819468260",

series = "Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering",

booktitle = "Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XV",

note = "Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XV ; Conference date: 27-08-2007 Through 30-08-2007",

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Vaillancourt, JE, Chuss, DT, Crutcher, RM, Dotson, JL, Dowell, CD, Al Harper, D, Hildebrand, RH, Jones, TJ, Lazarian, A, Novak, G & Werner, MW 2007, Far-infrared polarimetry from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. in Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XV., 66780D, Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, vol. 6678, Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XV, San Diego, CA, United States, 8/27/07. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.730922

Far-infrared polarimetry from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. / Vaillancourt, John E.; Chuss, David T.; Crutcher, Richard M. et al.
Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XV. 2007. 66780D (Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering; Vol. 6678).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

TY - GEN

T1 - Far-infrared polarimetry from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

AU - Vaillancourt, John E.

AU - Chuss, David T.

AU - Crutcher, Richard M.

AU - Dotson, Jessie L.

AU - Dowell, C. Darren

AU - Al Harper, D.

AU - Hildebrand, Roger H.

AU - Jones, Terry J.

AU - Lazarian, Alexandre

AU - Novak, Giles

AU - Werner, Michael W.

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AB - Multi-wavelength imaging polarimetry at far-infrared wavelengths has proven to be an excellent tool for studying the physical properties of dust, molecular clouds, and magnetic fields in the interstellar medium. Although these wavelengths are only observable from airborne or space-based platforms, no first-generation instrument for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is presently designed with Polarimetrie capabilities. We study several options for upgrading the High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera (HAWC) to a sensitive FIR Polarimeter. HAWC is a 12 × 32 pixel bolometer camera designed to cover the 53-215 μm spectral range in 4 colors, all at diffraction-limited resolution (5 - 21 arcsec). Upgrade options include: (1) an external set of optics which modulates the polarization state of the incoming radiation before entering the cryostat window; (2) internal polarizing optics; and (3) a replacement of the current detector array with two state-of-the-art superconducting bolometer arrays, an upgrade of the HAWC camera as well as Polarimeter. We discuss a range of science studies which will be possible with these upgrades including magnetic fields in star-forming regions and galaxies and the wavelength-dependence of polarization.

KW - Airborne astronomy

KW - Dust

KW - Far-infrared astronomy

KW - Instrumentation

KW - Interstellar medium

KW - Magnetic fields

KW - Polarimetry

KW - SOFIA

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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=42149105854&partnerID=8YFLogxK

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M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:42149105854

SN - 9780819468260

T3 - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

BT - Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XV

T2 - Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XV

Y2 - 27 August 2007 through 30 August 2007

ER -

Far-infrared polarimetry from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

Abstract

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Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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