Abstract

This paper summarizes our current instrument prototyping efforts of miniature near-UV imaging spectro-polarimeters to probe the thermodynamics and magnetism of the solar Chromosphere and Transition Region. This includes our high altitude balloon piggyback instruments DIMS-RADIANCE and DIMS-STOUT,... Show moreThis paper summarizes our current instrument prototyping efforts of miniature near-UV imaging spectro-polarimeters to probe the thermodynamics and magnetism of the solar Chromosphere and Transition Region. This includes our high altitude balloon piggyback instruments DIMS-RADIANCE and DIMS-STOUT, which are scheduled to fly in 2018. These payloads are CubeSat sized instruments designed around commercial off-the-shelf miniaturized spectrographs. Additionally we detail a new optical concept and proposed CubeSat mission called SolarCube. This instrument will be capable of “snapshot polarimetry” with simultaneous 2D imaging, spectroscopy, and linear polarization without mechanisms or scanning. This concept utilizes an integral field unit, diffraction grating, and unique polarization sensitive detector. The design, capabilities, current prototyping efforts, and future plans are discussed. The design goal is to observe the spatially resolved polarization signature of the Mg II h-k doublet at 280nm over the full solar disk. Show less