Software tool for polarimeter design and evaluation and polarimetric data reduction

John R. Engel; Santiago Tapia

doi:10.1117/12.22080

1 October 1990 Software tool for polarimeter design and evaluation and polarimetric data reduction

John R. Engel, Santiago Tapia

Proceedings Volume 1317, Polarimetry: Radar, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet, and X-Ray; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.22080
Event: Polarimetry '90, 1990, Huntsville, AL, United States

Abstract

We are developing an interactive computer program which includes many of the possible options available for the design of a polarimeter, for the analysis of the output signal, and for the computation of the polarization of the source under investigation. The software is being implemented on a microcomputer and is operated interactively. It utilizes pull-down menus, dialog boxes, graphics and mouse-driven point and click techniques to ease user interaction. We have addressed the issue of how to represent the polarimetric model in software by manipulating optical element transformation matrices (Mueller matrices) to produce the resultant polarimeter matrix. To keep the polarimetric model general and to facilitate analytic evaluations of polarimeter designs we represent these matrices in symbolic form in the software. The software tool will have wide ranging applications in areas of engineering, research and education dealing with polarimetry. It can be used as a design tool for polarimeters in laboratories, remote sensing, or both ground- and space-based astronomy. It can also be used as a simulation tool for polarimetric measurements which will be useful for evaluating polarimeter designs or for educational purposes. The software contains a data reduction tool which can be used to evaluate intensity measurements made by a specified polarimeter.

Citation Download Citation

John R. Engel and Santiago Tapia "Software tool for polarimeter design and evaluation and polarimetric data reduction", Proc. SPIE 1317, Polarimetry: Radar, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet, and X-Ray, (1 October 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.22080

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