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Paper: IRAF/STSDAS Faint Object Spectrograph Spectropolarimetry Data Reduction and Analysis
Volume: 61, Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems III
Page: 343
Authors: Bushouse, H.
Abstract: Capabilities now exist within the IRAF/STSDAS Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) suite of tasks to analyze FOS spectropolarimetry data and to allow an observer more flexibility in reducing and calibrating spectropolarimetric data. Because of the special nature of spectropolarimetric data, generic spectral reduction and analysis tools usually do not provide an efficient means of handling these data. Analysis routines now exist that allow an observer to combine multiple spectropolarimetric data sets, to rebin Stokes parameters as well as linear, circular, and polarization position angle spectra in order to increase the signal-to-noise ratio, and to easily produce stacked plots of flux, linear and circular polarization, and polarization position angle spectra. All routines also provide for correct propagation of statistical errors. Routines also exist that allow an observer to examine and manipulate the flux-calibrated spectra before the polarization parameters are computed from them. For example, one can examine and compare spectra taken at different waveplate positions in order to facilitate indentification of corrupted data at individual positions. Corrupted data can be flagged, at which point the Stokes parameter and polarization spectra can be recalculated from the remaining unflagged data.
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