Journal ArticleDOI
Error Analysis for Dual-Beam Optical Linear Polarimetry
TLDR
In this article, an error analysis for polarimetric data obtained with dual-beam instruments is presented, where the analytical expressions for the uncertainties of polarization degree and angle are compared with the results of Monte Carlo simulations.Abstract:
In this paper we present an error analysis for polarimetric data obtained with dual-beam instruments. After recalling the basic concepts, we introduce the analytical expressions for the uncertainties of polarization degree and angle. These are then compared with the results of Monte Carlo simulations, which are also used to briefly discuss the statistical bias. We then approach the problem of background subtraction and the errors introduced by an imperfect Wollaston prism, flat-fielding, and retarder plate defects. Finally, we investigate the effects of instrumental polarization and propose a simple test to detect and characterize it. The application of this method to real VLT-FORS1 data has shown the presence of a spurious polarization that is of the order of ∼1.5% at the edges of the field of view. The cause of this problem has been identified as the presence of rather curved lenses in the collimator, combined with the incomplete removal of reflections by the coatings. This problem is probably common to all focal-reducer instruments equipped with a polarimetric mode. An additional spurious and asymmetric polarization field, whose cause is still unclear, is visible in the B band.read more
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Spectropolarimetry of Supernovae
Lifan Wang,J. Craig Wheeler +1 more
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review the evidence derived from spectropolarimetry that has established several key results: Virtually all supernovae are significantly aspherical near maximum light, core-collapse supernova behave differently than thermonuclear (Type Ia) supernova, and the asphericity of core collapse supernova is more pronounced in the inner layers.
Journal ArticleDOI
Energetic eruptions leading to a peculiar hydrogen-rich explosion of a massive star
Iair Arcavi,Iair Arcavi,Iair Arcavi,D. Andrew Howell,D. Andrew Howell,Daniel Kasen,Daniel Kasen,Lars Bildsten,Lars Bildsten,Griffin Hosseinzadeh,Griffin Hosseinzadeh,Curtis McCully,Curtis McCully,Zheng Chuen Wong,Zheng Chuen Wong,Sarah Rebekah Katz,Sarah Rebekah Katz,Avishay Gal-Yam,Jesper Sollerman,Francesco Taddia,Giorgos Leloudas,Giorgos Leloudas,Christoffer Fremling,Peter Nugent,Peter Nugent,Assaf Horesh,Assaf Horesh,Kunal Mooley,Clare Rumsey,S. Bradley Cenko,S. Bradley Cenko,Melissa L. Graham,Melissa L. Graham,Daniel A. Perley,Daniel A. Perley,Ehud Nakar,Nir J. Shaviv,Omer Bromberg,Ken J. Shen,Eran O. Ofek,Yi Cao,Xiaofeng Wang,Fang Huang,Liming Rui,Tianmeng Zhang,Wenxiong Li,Zhitong Li,Jujia Zhang,Stefano Valenti,David Guevel,David Guevel,Benjamin J. Shappee,Christopher S. Kochanek,Thomas W.-S. Holoien,Alexei V. Filippenko,Rob Fender,Anders Nyholm,O. Yaron,Mansi M. Kasliwal,Mark Sullivan,Nadja Blagorodnova,Richard Walters,Ragnhild Lunnan,D. Khazov,Igor Andreoni,Igor Andreoni,Russ R. Laher,Nick Konidaris,P. Wozniak,Brian D. Bue +69 more
TL;DR: Observations of iPTF14hls are reported, an event that has spectra identical to a hydrogen-rich core-collapse supernova, but characteristics that differ extensively from those of known supernovae.
Journal ArticleDOI
Central powering of the largest Lyman-α nebula is revealed by polarized radiation
TL;DR: The detection of polarized radiation is inconsistent with the in situ production of Lyα photons, and it is concluded that they must have been produced in the galaxies hosted within the nebula, and re-scattered by neutral hydrogen.
Journal ArticleDOI
Circular polarization in the optical afterglow of GRB 121024A
K. Wiersema,Stefano Covino,Kenji Toma,Kenji Toma,A. J. van der Horst,Karla Varela,Michiel Min,Jochen Greiner,R. L. C. Starling,Nial R. Tanvir,Ralph A. M. J. Wijers,Sergio Campana,P. A. Curran,Yi-Zhong Fan,Johan P. U. Fynbo,J. Gorosabel,J. Gorosabel,J. Gorosabel,Andreja Gomboc,D. Gotz,Jens Hjorth,Zhi-Ping Jin,Shiho Kobayashi,Chryssa Kouveliotou,Carole Mundell,P. T. O'Brien,Elena Pian,Antonia Rowlinson,David M. Russell,David M. Russell,David M. Russell,Ruben Salvaterra,S. di Serego Alighieri,Gianpiero Tagliaferri,S. D. Vergani,J. Elliott,C. Farina,O. E. Hartoog,R. Karjalainen,S. Klose,Fabian Knust,Andrew J. Levan,Patricia Schady,V. Sudilovsky,Richard Willingale +44 more
TL;DR: It is suggested that new models are required to produce the complex microphysics of realistic shocks in relativistic jets, and the detection of circularly polarized light in the afterglow of GRB 121024A is reported, measured 0.15 days after the burst.
Journal ArticleDOI
SPECTROPOLARIMETRY OF EXTREMELY LUMINOUS TYPE Ia SUPERNOVA 2009dc: NEARLY SPHERICAL EXPLOSION OF SUPER-CHANDRASEKHAR MASS WHITE DWARF
Masaomi Tanaka,Masaomi Tanaka,Koji S. Kawabata,Masayuki Yamanaka,Keiichi Maeda,Takashi Hattori,Kentaro Aoki,Ken'ichi Nomoto,Masanori Iye,Toshiyuki Sasaki,Paolo A. Mazzali,Elena Pian,Elena Pian +12 more
TL;DR: The first spectropolarimetric observations of a super-Chandrasekhar mass Type Ia supernova (SN): SN 2009dc were performed at 5.6 and 89.5 days after the B-band maximum.
References
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Book
Principles of Optics
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss various topics about optics, such as geometrical theories, image forming instruments, and optics of metals and crystals, including interference, interferometers, and diffraction.
Journal ArticleDOI
Numerical Recipes in C: The Art of Scientific Computing
Mary C. Seiler,Fritz A. Seiler +1 more