Spectropolarimetry with the DAO 1.8-m telescope

TL;DR

This paper describes the operation and data collection of the DAO 1.8-m telescope's spectropolarimeter, which has gathered extensive polarimetric spectra of stars for multiple astrophysical surveys and investigations.

Contribution

It presents the implementation, operational status, and initial results of the DAO spectropolarimeter used in several ongoing stellar magnetic field studies.

Findings

Collected nearly 14,000 spectra of 65 stars since 2007

Supported the DAO Magnetic Field Survey and CFHT MiMeS survey

Investigated differences in magnetic field measurements from different spectral lines

Abstract

The fast-switching DAO spectropolarimeter mounted on the 1.8-m Plaskett telescope started operation in 2007. Almost 14,000 medium-resolution (R=15,000) polarimetric spectra of 65 O - F type stars have been obtained since then in the course of three ongoing projects: the DAO Magnetic Field Survey, supporting observations for the CFHT MiMeS survey, and an investigation of the systematic differences between the observed longitudinal field measured with the Hbeta line and metallic lines. The projects are briefly described here. The current status as well as some results are presented.