Offered Polarimetric modes

NaCo is equipped with a Wollaston prism that allows measurements of linear polarization. The Wollaston is oriented at zero degree on sky (i.e. E & O-vectors are displayed along the East-West axis).

Wire grid polarimetry and the Wollaston_45 are no longer available.

With the exception of the J filter, which is positionned on the same filter wheel as the polarizing elements, all filters and cameras can be used for polarimetric observations. Note however that polarimetry has never been tested in M'.

A rotating half-wave plate located in front of CONCA allows measurements without having to rotate the instrument.