Polarization properties at the Nasmyth focus of the alt-azimuth TNG telescope

E. Giroa, C. Bonolia, F. Leoneb, E. Molinaric, C. Pernechelea, A. Zacchei d INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova; vicolo Osservatorio 5 Padova (Italy)* b INAF - Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania; via S. Sofia 78 Catania (Italy) c INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Merate; via Bianchi 46 Merate(Italy) d INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste; via Tiepolo 11 Trieste(Italy)
ABSTRACT

Modern alt-azimuth telescopes, often, force the location of instruments at Nasmyth foci, that are inconvenient places particularly for polarimeters. Because of the folding mirror, the radiation polarization state is so modified that, to avoid systematic errors, instrumental polarization has to be removed as a function of the telescope position. A model of the polarization introduced by the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG) at its focal plane is presented. The model take into account physical and geometrical properties of the optical system, complex refraction index of the mirrors and their relative position, deriving instrumental polarization as function of the pointing coordinates of the telescope. This model has been developed by means of Muller matrices calculation. Telescope instrumental polarization has been measured following some standard polarization stars at different telescope positions. The mathematical model, here discussed, was confirmed comparing the theoretical results and the experimental measurements at main TNG instruments. Keywords: polarimetry, instrumental polarization

1. INTRODUCTION
Astronomical polarimetry is one of the fields which have most gained from the advances obtained in modern telescopes1. In particular the size of primary mirrors, the design of high flexible instrumentation and the use of high efficiency detectors now permit to obtain polarimetric measurements with accuracy we ever had before. Typically polarimetric devices are placed on Cassegrain focus to avoid folding mirrors which modify the incoming light beam polarization state. In alt-azimuth telescopes the Nasmyth focus is a suitable focal plane to reduce mechanical instrument complexity and costs. This optical configuration permits to design instruments always oriented in the same way respect to the gravity with obvious advantages in mass distributions, constrains in mechanics and flexures diminishing. On the other hand at least a folding mirror is introduced in the optical path. Moreover in alt-azimuth telescopes the orientation of this mirror changes respect to the sky due to the field rotation. In this optical configuration we can follow two different ways to obtain well calibrated polarimetric measurements: The polarimetric instrument design should compensate optically the polarization introduced by the folding mirror(s); Using Muller theory2 folding mirrors reflections and orientations are represented by a Matrix [Mt] which describe the behaviour telescope polarization. If [S] = {I, Q, U, V} represents the Stokes vector for the incoming light beam and [S] = {I, Q, U, V} represents the Stokes vector for the out-coming light beam from the Nasmyth focal plane then:

[S '] = [M t ] [S ]

(1)

An accurate knowledge of [Mt] as function of telescope pointing and a measurement of [S] permits to compute [S] inverting the matrix product in (1).

In this paper we will illustrate a model of the polarization introduced by the Italian Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG)3 for the direct Nasmyth focal plane used by the low resolution spectrograph Do.Lo.Res4. The first section will describe oblique reflections by metallic mirrors, the second section will illustrate a theoretical model which take in account the TNG optical and polarimetric properties at the focal plane using Muller matrices calculation. The last section will discuss a comparison between this theoretical model and some instrumental polarization measurements obtained from standard polarization stars observations.

2. REFLECTION BY A METALLIC MIRROR

The theory of metallic reflection has been described in dept by several authors5 6 7. The electric vector of an incident electromagnetic wave on a metallic surface can be resolved into two components, one in the plane of incidence (E||) and the other perpendicular to it (E). The reflectivity for these two components is different. Using the Fresnel formulas it is possible compute the parallel (r||) and the perpendicular (r) to the incidence plane reflection coefficients as function of refraction complex index of the metallic surface (n+ik with n refraction index and k absorption coefficient) and of the angle of incidence. Such coefficients permit to estimate the polarization introduced by the mirror. In the left plot of Fig. 1 the typical curves for these coefficients as function of the angle of incidence are shown (aluminium complex refraction index obtained from Schulz8 and Schulz & Tangherlini9). It is particular evident that for an incidence angle of about 80 a maximum difference between r|| and r is reached. Only for 0 and 90 the two coefficients assume the same values.

Figure 1: Reflection coefficients and phase retardation as function of the angle of incidence for light at 500 nm of wavelength. The curves have been calculated for solid aluminium using refraction index and absorption coefficient from Schulz8 and Schulz & Tangherlini9.

Another effect introduced by metallic reflection is a phase difference () between the two electric field components. This shift is maximum (half period) for grazing angles and null for perpendicular incidence as shown in the right plot of figure 1.

The effects of the phase shift and of the differences in reflection coefficients can be summarized using the Muller matrix for a partial polarizer combined with the Muller matrix for a retarder10. In this way we can write the Muller matrix for a metallic reflection Mm with the transmission axis horizontal (plane of incidence parallel to the fast axis of the partial polarizer/retarder):

r|| 1 r|| Mm = 2

+ r r 0 0

r|| r r|| + r 0 0

2 r|| r cos 2 r|| r sin 2 r|| r sin 2 r|| r cos 0 0 0 0

(2)

Where r|| r and are functions of the angle of incidence as discussed above. To take in account different orientations of the mirror, plane of incidence not parallel to the fast axis of the polarizer/retarder, we must use the rotation matrix [T(2)] (where represents the rotation angle):

[M ] = [T (2 )] [M ] [T (2 )]
m

(3)

Each metallic reflection can be taken in account with its Muller matrix. If [S] is the Stokes vector describing the polarization state of the incoming light, the Stokes vector [S] emerging from the nth reflection will be:

[S '] = [M n

] [M ] [M ] [M ] [S ]
n 1

n 1

(4)

Comparing this equation with equation (1) we obtain:

[M t ] = [M n

] [M ] [M ] [M ]
n 1

n1

(5)

Because in a telescope the first two reflections (primary and secondary mirror) can be considered perpendicular to the mirrors typically are neglected. As consequence the Muller matrix describing the instrumental polarization introduced by an alt-azimuth telescope at the Nasmyth focus is a function of the folding mirror orientation.

3. OPTICAL AND POLARIMETRIC PROPERTIES OF TNG FOCAL PLANE

The TNG is an alt-azimuth telescope placed at La Palma (Canary Islands) as an observational facility for the Italian community since 1998, year of its first light. Its optical characteristics are: 3.5 meters primary mirror with active optics corrections; Ritchey-Cretien configuration; Two F/11 Nasmyth focal planes with a scale of 5.35 arcsec/mm. A fast switch system permits to use the five instruments (three spectrographs, an imager and an adaptive optics module) permanently mounted, in the same observing night. Two derotator systems to compensate the field rotations at the Nasmyth foci. In this section we will point our attention to the folding mirror orientations for the low resolution spectrograph (Do.Lo.Res.). In Fig 2 the geometrical configuration for the folding mirror is shown. The incoming light beam from the secondary mirror M2 is reflected by the 45 deflection mirror M3 and focalized on the derotator focal plane.

Figure 2: Relative orientations between folding mirror, focal plane and telescope.

To understand how to build the Muller matrix for this system we must consider the relative positions between telescope orientation, M3 and the derotator focal plane. Because an alt-azimuth mount causes field rotation the relative orientations between the sky reference frame, typically oriented as the equatorial reference frame, and M3 reference frame are function of telescope pointing. Because M3 is co-moving with the elevation axis any change in the elevation position is reflected as a change in the orientation of M3 respect to the derotator focal plane. Summarizing there are three rotational axes parallel to the optical axis which can independently move: The parallactic axis which defines the rotational axis of the equatorial reference frame respect to the telescope frame (alt-azimuth); The telescope elevation axis; The derotator axis designed to compensate the other two rotations at the focal plane.

The derotator compensate for the two rotations, but because parallactic rotation is before and the elevation is after M3 reflection, only the first must be considered in the Muller calculation, so we have:

[M t ] = [T ( pa)] [M M 3 ] [T ( pa)]

(6)

where pa is the parallactic angle. If the derotator is fixed, we must take only in account the rotation for elevation change, in this case [Mt] will be:

[M t ] = [T (90 el )] [M M 3 ] [T ( pa)]

(7)

The parallactic angle (pa) is function of hour angle (ha), declination (dec) of the object and Observatory coordinates. Using (6) with dec = 0 we obtain the plots of figure 3 for degree of instrumental polarization, polarization position angle and Q and U Stokes parameters as function of hour angle. Anyway having as input the Stokes vector and the pointing position, using (6) or (7) we can calculate the expected polarization measured at instrument focal plane.

Figure 3: From upper left, parallactic angle, degree of instrumental polarization, polarization position angle and Q and U Stokes parameters as function of hour angle for a pointing position at declination equal to zero.

4. INSTRUMENTAL POLARIZATION MEASUREMENTS

To check the model correctness, some standard polarization stars have been measured. As analyzer a Double Wollaston Prism was been mounted in the grism wheel of Do.Lo.Res. This analyzer permits, with its four polarized beams, to have the Stokes Q and U parameters with just one shoot 11. In this way a time resolved polarimetry is very easy to obtain with the two Stokes parameters Q and U taken in the same time. Data at Do.Lo.Res focus have been taken in the July 1 2002 night. In Tab 1 we report the journal of observations. During the entire night the sky was not photometric with variable sky conditions and seeing of about 1.2 arcsec.

Object HD 155197 BD +32 3739

R.A. (2000) 17 10 16 20 12 02

Dec (2000) -04 50 03 +32 47 44

Central U.T. 00:37:18 03:18:53

H.A. start 00:40:05 00:01:24

H.A. end 01:00:14 01:57:00

# Exposures 82 325

Exp. Time (s) 3 7

Table 1: Journal of observations of the July 1 2001 run. Each record gives the observed object, its coordinates, central U.T. of the observations, hour angle at the start of the run, hour angle at the end of the run, the total number of acquisition and the exposure time for each acquisition. HD 155197 is a standard polarized star (degree of polarization p = 4.32% and polarization angle = 102.84 in V band) while BD +32 3739 is a standard zero polarization star. All observations have been conducted in V band.

Two polarimetric standard stars have been observed in V band, HD 155197, a polarized target with a polarization degree p = 4.32% and a polarization angle = 102.84, and BD +32 3739, a zero polarization star12. Due to the absence of a /4 plate no measurements on Stokes V parameter have been conducted. Continuos acquisitions have been obtained to cover, as wide as possible, hour angle ha range. Unfortunately because of the variable sky conditions only for the standard zero we obtain a good ha coverage (about two hours). Each frame obtained consists in four images of the target of flux I corresponding to four directions of polarization ( = 0, 90, 45 and 135). Q and U Stokes parameters can be easily calculated by:

Q= U=

I 0 I 90 I 0 + I 90 I 45 I135 I 45 + I 135

(8)

(9)

Data reduction has been performed in an automatic way using a custom IDL program and the IDL Astronomical Library13. For each image, after CCD standard calibration, Q and U values have been calculated using (8) and (9). As statistical errors the Poisson noise has been used. An rms error of 0.09% in the Q and U channels has been found for the standard zero star, while a value of 0.14% for the polarized star. In Fig 4 we report the data in (Q, U) plane for BD +32 3739 over-plotted on the model. The aluminium refraction complex index has been slightly changed to fit better the data. In this way for the central wavelength corresponding to V band (530 nm) we found a value for n equal to 0.640.01 and a value for k equal to 5.00.1. The gaps along the ellipse in the data set are due to the cloudy weather conditions. In Fig. 5 we report the same data and model as function of hour angle ha. In this case also the errors are plotted. It is quite evident a well agreement between the theoretical model and observations. In Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 the same plots are shown for the standard polarized star HD 155197. In this case the data points are more spread in the (Q, U) plane due to higher rms errors. Moreover only a coverage in ha of 20 minutes has been obtained. Anyway also in this case the agreement with the model is evident.

5. CONCLUSIONS
The analytical model for computing the instrumental polarization of an alt-azimuth telescope at its Nasmyth focus has been here presented. Measurements obtained on some polarization stars have largely confirmed the previsions of the model. These results suggest that extensive standard stars observations may be able to model with high accuracy the polarization induced by the telescope, obtaining in this way high accuracy calibrations in polarimetric observations. An open and very important question is about the effects on polarization due to time evolution of aluminium coatings.

Figure 4: Polarimetric data in (Q, U) plane for BD +32 3739. The polarization model has been over plotted on the same

plane. The agreement is evident.

Figure 5: Stokes Q and U parameters for BD +32 3739 plotted as function of the hour angle ha. In this case also rms errors have been indicated. Solid line represents the polarization model. Gaps are due to the cloudy weather conditions.

Figure 6: Polarimetric data in (Q, U) plane for HD 155197. The polarization model has been over plotted on the same

plane

Figure 7: Stokes Q and U parameters for BD +32 3739 plotted as function of the hour angle ha. In this case also rms errors have been indicated. Solid line represents the polarization model

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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. M. Tarenghi, Second Workshop on ESOs Very Large Telescope, 1986 D. Clarke, J.F. Grainger, Polarized Light and Optical Measurement, Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1971 F. Bortoletto, C. Bonoli, M. DAlessandro, R. Ragazzoni, P. Conconi, D. Mancini, M. Pucillo, Commissioning of the Italian National Telescope Galileo, SPIE Conf. Proc. Vol 3352, 1998 Conconi et al. M. Born, E. Wolf, Principles of Optics, Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1959 J. Berning, P.H. Berning, J.Opt. Soc. America, 50, 813, 1960 F. Abels, Progr. Opt., 2, 251, 1963 L. G. Schulz, J. Opt. Soc. Am., 44, 357, 1959 L. G. Schulz and Tangherlini, J. Opt. Soc. Am., 44, 362, 1959 D. Clarke, Astron. & Astrophys., 24, 165, 1973 C. Pernechele, E. Giro, D. Fantinel, Device for optical linear polarization measurements with a single exposure, in these proceedings G. D. Schmidt and R. Elston, AJ, 104, 4, 1992 W. B. Landsman, A.S.P. Conf. Series, 52, 246, 1993

* giro@pd.astro.it phone +39-049-8293410; fax +39-049-8759840; INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, vicolo Osservatorio 5, I-35122 Padova - Italy