A novel polarization interferometer for measuring upper atmospheric winds

A static polarization interferometer for measuring upper atmospheric winds is presented, based on two Savart plates with their optical axes perpendicular to each other. The principle and characteristics of the interferometer are described. The interferometer with a wide field of view can offer a stable benchmark optical path difference over a specified spectral region of 0.55-0.63μm because there are no quarter wave plates. Since the instrument employs a straight line common-path configuration but without moving parts and slits, it is very compact, simple, inherently robust and has high throughput. The paper is limited to a theoretical analysis.

Prospects for Jovian seismology with the Lenghu planetary telescope

Jupiter is one of the top priorities for deep space exploration in China and other countries.The structure of Jupiter’s interior,in particular,is a crucial but still unclear scientific topic.This paper discusses current scientific understanding of Jupiter’s interior by summarizing the history of past and current exploration and data analysis.We review recent space-based and ground-based observation methods and analyze their feasibility.To gain new insight into the internal structure of Jupiter,we propose to study Jupiter’s innards by planetary seismology.Ground-based observation,namely the Jupiter Seismologic Interferometer Polarization Imager(SIPI)in Lenghu,will be developed to obtain the Doppler velocity distribution on the surface of Jupiter and identify oscillation signals.Lenghu has observation conditions that are not only exceptional in China but even in the world,capable of providing novel insight into the interior of Jupiter.This will also be the first study in China of the interior of Jupiter using asteroseismology,which has significant implications for China’s plans to explore Jupiter via spacecraft-mounted instruments.

Multi-channel polarized low-coherence interference synchronous demodulation system based on a matrix charge-coupled device

A multi-channel synchronous demodulation system of a polarized low-coherence interferometer(PLCI) based on a matrix charge-coupled-device(CCD) is proposed and demonstrated. By using special designs, the system allows the signals from different channels to be received and demodulated synchronously. Multichannel air pressure experiments were implemented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed system. The experiment results showed that the Fabry–Perot(F–P) sensors could be demodulated synchronously with a high tolerance for light sources and sensors, which indicated that any sensor and light source that can be demodulated by PLCI were allowed to be employed, leading to a wide application in the field of multichannel synchronous measurement.