Metasurface grating gives solar telescopes a boost

Physics World reports that UC San Diego researchers have developed a new type of optical component — a metasurface polarization grating — that could revolutionize how solar telescopes measure the Sun's magnetic field. Unlike traditional instruments that require mechanical rotating parts, this engineered flat surface captures polarization data simultaneously and passively, meaning no moving components to cause blurring or require constant power. The team tested their device on the Dunn Solar Telescope in New Mexico and got results that matched NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, suggesting the approach could enable smaller, simpler, and cheaper space-based solar missions. Since these magnetic fields are closely linked to space weather events like solar storms — which can damage electronics both on Earth and in orbit — better instruments for measuring them could help predict dangerous solar activity in time to take protective action.

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