MOPTOP - prototyping a new approach to high time resolution, multi-wavelength optical polarimetry

MOPTOP - 建立高时间分辨率、多波长光学偏振测量新方法的原型

基本信息

批准号：
ST/P002773/1
负责人：
Iain Allan Steele
金额：
$ 21.99万
依托单位：
Liverpool John Moores University
依托单位国家：
英国
项目类别：
Research Grant
财政年份：
2018
资助国家：
英国
起止时间：
2018 至无数据
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ST%2FP002773%2F1
关键词：
MOPTOP prototyping new approach time

项目摘要

Optical polarimetry is a probe of physical and magnetic field geometries in many otherwise spatially unresolved astronomical sources. Polarization is now taking a leading role as a key diagnostic of physical conditions (for example magnetic field strength/order/geometry and relativistic plasma dynamics) in time variable sources such as blazars, active galactic nuclei, x-ray binaries and gamma ray bursts (GRBs). In these high energy sources, polarization allows astronomers to probe the physical conditions at spatial scales that will never be accessible to direct imaging observations. At LJMU we have led the application of polarization to time variable sources. Here we propose a programme to develop a new concept in multi-wavelength, optimized time resolved optical polarimetry (MOPTOP). The work builds on a 2012 (1 year) PRD programme which developed a multi-band optical polarimeter for time domain studies (RINGO3). MOPTOP combines novel concepts from that design with new, low-cost, high-sensitivity sCMOS detectors and a dual beam design to develop a concept that combines a wide, un-confused field of view with maximal sensitivity and low systematic errors.MOPTOP is currently at TRL 3 (we have tested one key component of the design - namely the fast synchronization of two sCMOS cameras). In this proposal we request funding of ~£171k to increase the instrument TRL to 7 (a prototype tested and operational on a telescope). The increased sensitivity of the instrument will allow access to sources down to 19th magnitude (at 2% error) on a 2.0 metre class telescope. The design should also have much lower systematics (<0.1%) allowing greater utility for weakly polarized sources, and a 4 times wider field of view enabling rapid follow-up of poorly localized transient sources. The prototype will be tested on the 2.0m Liverpool Telescope (La Palma) and/or the 2.4 metre NARIT telescope (Thailand). We do not envisage protectable IP will arise from the project and consequently will make the instrument design fully public domain, with the aim of encouraging copies to be placed on other facilities around the world.

光学偏振测量是许多空间上无法解析的天文源中物理和磁场几何形状的探针，现在偏振作为物理条件（例如磁场强度/秩序/几何形状和相对论等离子体动力学）的关键诊断发挥着主导作用。耀变体、活动星系核、X 射线双星和伽马射线暴 (GRB) 等可变源在这些高能量源中，偏振使天文学家能够探测宇宙。在利物浦约翰摩尔斯大学，我们领导了将偏振应用于时变源的项目，以开发多波长、优化时间分辨光学偏振测量的新概念。 MOPTOP）。这项工作建立在 2012 年（1 年）PRD 计划的基础上，该计划开发了一种用于时域研究的多波段光学旋光计 (RINGO3)，该计划将该设计的新颖概念与新的低成本技术相结合。高灵敏度 sCMOS 探测器和双光束设计开发了一种概念，将宽阔、无混乱的视场与最大灵敏度和低系统误差相结合。MOPTOP 目前处于 TRL 3 级（我们已经测试了该设计的一个关键组件 -即两个 sCMOS 相机的快速同步）。在该提案中，我们请求提供约 171,000 英镑的资金，将仪器 TRL 增加到 7（在望远镜上测试和运行的原型）。将允许在 2.0 米级望远镜上访问低至 19 星等的源（误差为 2%）。该设计还应具有低得多的系统性（<0.1%），从而允许弱偏振源具有更大的实用性，以及 4 倍宽的视场。该原型将在 2.0m 利物浦望远镜（拉帕尔马）和/或 2.4 米 NARIT 望远镜上进行测试。（泰国）。我们预计该项目不会产生受保护的知识产权，因此将使仪器设计完全属于公共领域，目的是鼓励将副本放置在世界各地的其他设施上。