Characterization of materials for a vacuum-ultraviolet polarization analyzer

Astronomical measurements in the vacuum-UV spectral region (30–190 nm) require space instruments and techniques that are at the boundary between visible and x-ray techniques. In vacuum-UV polarimetry, transmission polarizers must be replaced by reflection polarizers because of the lack of transparent materials in the 30–105-nm range. The general features of a single reflection polarization analyzer for the vacuum UV are introduced and described, with particular emphasis on astrophysical applications. In particular, we discuss the trade-off conditions for optimum polarization and throughput of a single-reflection surface in the vacuum UV, introducing a quality factor parameter. The polarization performances of various reflecting materials are obtained with a reflecting vacuum-UV polarization analyzer laboratory model designed and built to measure the state of linear polarization. On the basis of a comparison of the quality factors, calcium fluoride is determined to be the best-performing material. Finally, we discuss the laboratory polarimetric characterizations of the material properties for astronomical application of the polarization analyzer.