MMT-POL: An Adaptive Optics Optimized 1-5μm Polarimeter

摘要

MMT-POL is an adaptive optics optimized, 1-5μm imaging polarimeter for use at the 6.5m MMT. By taking full advantage of the adaptive optics secondary mirror of the MMT, this polarimeter will offer for the first time on 8m class telescopes, diffraction limited polarimetry with very low instrumental polarization. This instrument will permit observations as diverse as protoplanetary discs, comets, red giant winds, galaxies and AGN. We discuss both the novel instrument design and key science drivers.