Polarimetric modeling and assessment of science cases for Giant Magellan Telescope-Polarimeter (GMT-Pol)

Ramya M. Anche; Grant Williams; Hill Tailor; Chris Packham; Daewook Kim; Jaren N. Ashcraft; Ewan S. Douglas

doi:10.1117/12.2676777

3 October 2023 Polarimetric modeling and assessment of science cases for Giant Magellan Telescope-Polarimeter (GMT-Pol)

Ramya M. Anche, Grant Williams, Hill Tailor, Chris Packham, Daewook Kim, Jaren N. Ashcraft, Ewan S. Douglas

Proceedings Volume 12690, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing XI; 126900F (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2676777
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2023, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Polarization observations through the next-generation large telescopes will be invaluable for exploring the magnetic fields and composition of jets in AGN, multi-messenger transients follow-up, and understanding interstellar dust and magnetic fields. The 25m Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) is one of the next-generation large telescopes and is expected to have its first light in 2029. The telescope consists of a primary mirror and an adaptive secondary mirror comprising seven circular segments. The telescope supports instruments at both Nasmyth as well as Gregorian focus. However, none of the first or second-generation instruments on GMT has the polarimetric capability. This paper presents a detailed polarimetric modeling of the GMT for both Gregorian and folded ports for astronomical B-K filter bands and a field of view of 5 arc minutes. At 500nm, The instrumental polarization is 0.1% and 3% for the Gregorian and folded port, respectively. The linear to circular crosstalk is 0.1% and 30% for the Gregorian and folded ports, respectively. The Gregorian focus gives the GMT a significant competitive advantage over TMT and ELT for sensitive polarimetry, as these telescopes support instruments only on the Nasmyth platform. We also discuss a list of polarimetric science cases and assess science case requirements vs. the modeling results. Finally, we discuss the possible routes for polarimetry with GMT and show the preliminary optical design of the GMT polarimeter.

Conference Presentation

(2023) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Ramya M. Anche, Grant Williams, Hill Tailor, Chris Packham, Daewook Kim, Jaren N. Ashcraft, and Ewan S. Douglas "Polarimetric modeling and assessment of science cases for Giant Magellan Telescope-Polarimeter (GMT-Pol)", Proc. SPIE 12690, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing XI, 126900F (3 October 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2676777

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