Wide-field polarimetry

For polarimetry above 1380 MHz, or past the half-power beam width of the primary beam, please have a look at our page on the MeerKAT primary beam measurements.

For UHF-band polarimetry above 1000 MHz, or past 0.23 degrees offset from the phase centre, please refer to the memo “Absolute linear polarization angle calibration using planetary bodies for MeerKAT and JVLA at cm wavelengths” (Hugo & Perley, 2024)

Also, please see Hugo & Perley (2024) for S-band polarimetry, it is demonstrated that instrumental polarisation is most severe at the top of the S0 sub-band (1750 - 2625 MHz), yet the degree of contamination is lower than that in the L-band. In the S2 sub-band (2187 - 3062 MHz), variability is significant with parallactic angle, exceeding a few per cent near the edge of the beam and beyond. Although there is less variation with parallactic angle at the S4 sub-band (2625 - 3500 MHz), distinct “notches” appear beyond 3 GHz, and these increase in magnitude to several per cent beyond a 0.17-degree offset from the phase centre.

• It may be possible to push up to 1500 MHz if the field of view is severely restricted. Please consult the documentation on the primary beam measurements and the memo Hugo & Perley (2024) for a more recent analysis.