Abstract

A breadboard design to prove the operational feasibility of a solar activity monitor experiment (SAMEX) vector magnetograph is being developed at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Since the transverse magnetic field (which is related to linear polarization measurements) is much weaker than the longitudinal magnetic field (circular polarizations) and represents the greatest uncertainty in the description of the vector magnetic field on the sun, the polarimeter design has been optimized for those measurements assuming that they obtained in space. Although the SAMEX polarimeter is not optimum for a ground-based patrol instrument, the design concept can be confirmed from ground-based measurements and direct comparisons with the existing MSFC vector magnetograph, and the calibration techniques can be developed to correct for systematic errors in the polarimeter.

© 1988 Optical Society of America