Development of a high-performing spectropolarimeter for space usage

Abstract

The polarization of light has become a powerful tool for scientists in recent years. Astronomy, climatology, chemistry, and medicine are just a few sectors that are turning to this characteristic of light to produce a finer description of the environment they study.
However, the complete measurement of polarization at different wavelengths remains difficult. The difficulties are even more significant when the polarization measurement occurs in space. Current technologies are bulky, mainly featuring rotating components that can bring additional risk to the space mission. In this context, the present research discusses the development of a new method for measuring light polarization compatible with use in space.
Starting from ideas already presented in the specialized literature, we have refined here a new way to access the polarization of light that promises the construction of compact, robust, and highly accurate instruments. The present research provides a detailed theoretical description of this new method's operating principle and a practical demonstration. The results confirmed the ability to translate this method into high-performing instruments capable of accessing any polarization.
In addition, this research also highlights the versatility of the new method for measuring light polarization. It can be translated into instruments intended for use in space or for other applications; it can be adapted to determine only certain types of polarization, or it can be the basis for building imaging instruments. It opens a new horizon of development in polarimetry and spectropolarimetry.