Imaging Stars by Performing Full-Stokes Optical Interferometric Polarimetry

Abstract

Optical interferometry and polarimetry have separately provided new insights into stellar astronomy, especially in the fields of fundamental parameters and atmospheric models. We present: scientific justifications for “full-Stokes” optical interferometric polarimetry (OIP); updated instrument requirements; preliminary beam combiner designs; polarimeter design; end-to-end OIP data reduction; and realistic reimaged full-Stokes models of Be stars with a suitable number of telescopes plus noise sources. All of this work represents preliminary research to construct an OIP beam combiner.

Keywords

• optical system design
• optical interferometry
• optical polarimetry
• imaging with optical interferometers and polarimeters