Finding the shape of a supernova's core

POSTER

Abstract

Astronomical measurements indicate that a core collapse supernova has an asymmetric core. The light emitted by the core of a supernova can be polarized by the gaseous cloud which is detaching. The analysis of the polarized light can indicate the asymmetry of the core after the explosion of the supernova [ Leonard, D.C. et al. 2006 Nature 440(March 23): 505-507 ]. In our paper we look for assessing the degree of polarization of a glowing object in order to spatially resolve its shape based on the changes in the polarization of light emitted. We design a simple table top setup which uses a glowing object, two polarizers, lenses, a motion sensor and a light sensor to assess the shape of an opening placed in front of the glowing object. We choose a circular opening as our control signal. A rotary motion sensor tracks the rotation of a second polarizer and a light sensor records the variation of light intensity. The probe signal is always a cosine squared function, according to Malus's law, but has variable amplitude. We compare the change in amplitude of different shapes with our control signal in order to determine the eccentricity of the object using a numerical procedure. The equipment can be connected to a telescope in order to spatially resolve the shape of remote objects only by using optical analysis (i.e. metallurgy).

Authors

  • Keeley Townley-Smith

    Department of Physics, Lamar University

  • Harry A. Atwater

    Institute for Advanced Physics and Mathematics, Zhejiang University of Technology, Baylor University, baylor university, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou University, Trinity University, University of New Hampshire, Los Alamos National Lab, Southwest Research Institute, University of Texas San Antonio, Texas A&M University, Department of Physics, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX78666, None, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, Beijing Computational Science Research Center, Beijing 100094, P.R. China, The State Key Laboratory of Quantum Optics and Quantum Optics Devices, China, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan, Lamar University, NIST, NIST Physical Measurement Laboratory,Thermodynamic Metrology Laboratory, Rice University, University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Tech University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A\&M University, Russian Quantum Center, Physics Department, International Laser Center, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Baylor University, Texas A&M University, Princeton University, Baylor University, Texas A&M University, Florida State University, Univ of Texas, Dallas, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, University of Houston, Physics and Astronomy, Material Science and Eng,Texas A\&M University. WPI-Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan, Physics and Astronomy, Texas A\&M University, Material Science and Eng., Texas A\&M University, Texas Christian University, Utaca College, University of Texas at Arlington, Angelo State University Physics & Geosciences Department, Texas State University, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Department of Physics, Lamar University, Texas Lutheran University, University of Oklahoma, Texas A&M University, Baylor University, Princeton University, Texas A&M University, Baylor University, Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering (IQSE) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-4242, Texas A\&M University, Florida A&M University, Texas A&M University, Princeton University, Baylor University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, Texas A&M University and Baylor University, Abilene Christian University, Michigan State University, Argonne National Laboratory, Southern Methodist University, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University 4242 TAMU College Station, Texas 77843-4242, The Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, Southern Nazarene University, Texas A&M University, Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Cologne, Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd., Richardson, Texas 75080, USA, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA, $^{1}$Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A\&M University, $^{1}$Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A\&M University, $^{2}$WPI-AIMR, Tohoku University, Japan, Department of Physics, Austin College, AMRIS/NHMFL, University of Florida, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Mississippi State University, The Methodist Hospital System, Biophotonic Solutions, Inc., University of Texas, Austin, California Insititute of Technology

  • Cristian Bahrim

    Department of Physics and EE, Lamar University, Department of Physics, Lamar University