Instrument prototypes of miniature near-UV imaging spectro-polarimeters for observations of solar magnetism

P. H.H. Oakley, R. Casini, S. Sewell, N. Ela

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper summarizes our current instrument prototyping efforts of miniature near-UV imaging spectro-polarimeters to probe the thermodynamics and magnetism of the solar Chromosphere and Transition Region. This includes our high altitude balloon piggyback instruments DIMS-RADIANCE and DIMS-STOUT, which are scheduled to fly in 2018. These payloads are CubeSat sized instruments designed around commercial off-the-shelf miniaturized spectrographs. Additionally we detail a new optical concept and proposed CubeSat mission called SolarCube. This instrument will be capable of "snapshot polarimetry" with simultaneous 2D imaging, spectroscopy, and linear polarization without mechanisms or scanning. This concept utilizes an integral field unit, diffraction grating, and unique polarization sensitive detector. The design, capabilities, current prototyping efforts, and future plans are discussed. The design goal is to observe the spatially resolved polarization signature of the Mg II h-k doublet at 280nm over the full solar disk.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018
Subtitle of host publicationUltraviolet to Gamma Ray
EditorsShouleh Nikzad, Jan-Willem A. Den Herder, Kazuhiro Nakazawa
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Print)9781510619517
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018
EventSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray - Austin, United States
Duration: Jun 10 2018Jun 15 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume10699
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAustin
Period06/10/1806/15/18

Keywords

  • CubeSat
  • datacube
  • imaging spectropolarimetry
  • integral field unit
  • low cost access to space
  • miniature instrumentation
  • solar magnetism
  • ultraviolet spectro-polarimetry

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