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psrchive and psrfits: Definition of the Stokes Parameters and Instrumental Basis Conventions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2013

W. van Straten ,
R. N. Manchester ,
S. Johnston  and
J. E. Reynolds
W. van Straten*
Affiliation:
Swinburne University of Technology, PO Box 218, Hawthorn VIC 3122
R. N. Manchester
Affiliation:
CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science, PO Box 76, Epping NSW 1710
S. Johnston
Affiliation:
CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science, PO Box 76, Epping NSW 1710
J. E. Reynolds
Affiliation:
CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science, PO Box 76, Epping NSW 1710
*
CCorresponding author. Email: vanstraten.willem@gmail.com
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Abstract

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This paper defines the mathematical convention adopted to describe an electromagnetic wave and its polarisation state, as implemented in the psrchive software and represented in the psrfits definition. Contrast is made between the convention that has been widely accepted by pulsar astronomers and the IAU/IEEE definitions of the Stokes parameters. The former is adopted as the PSR/IEEE convention, and a set of useful parameters are presented for describing the differences between the PSR/IEEE standard and the conventions (either implicit or explicit) that form part of the design of observatory instrumentation. To aid in the empirical determination of instrumental convention parameters, well-calibrated average polarisation profiles of PSR J0304+1932 and PSR J0742–2822 are presented at radio wavelengths of approximately 10, 20, and 40 cm.

Keywords

methods: data analysispolarisationpulsars: generaltechniques: polarimetric
Type
Research Article
Information
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia , Volume 27 , Issue 1 , 2010 , pp. 104 - 109
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of Australia 2010

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