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Paper: |
The polarimeters for HARPS and X-shooter |
Volume: |
470, 370 Years of Astronomy in Utrecht |
Page: |
401 |
Authors: |
Snik, F.; HARPSpol team; X-shooter-pol team |
Abstract: |
Spectropolarimetry enables observations of stellar magnetic fields and circumstellar asymmetries, e.g. in disks and supernova explosions.
To furnish better diagnostics of such stellar physics, we designed and commissioned a polarimetric unit at the successful HARPS spectrograph at ESO's 3.6-m telescope at La Silla.
We present the design and performance of HARPSpol, and show some first science results.
The most striking achievement of HARPSpol is its capability to measure stellar magnetic fields as small as 0.1 G.
Finally, we give a sneak preview of the polarimeter we are currently designing for X-shooter at the VLT.
It contains a novel type of polarimetric modulator that is able to efficiently measure all the Stokes parameters over the huge wavelength range of 300–2500 nm. |
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