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Which polarization option offered in Cycle 2 (single, dual, or full) is appropriate for my project? - Knowledgebase / General - ALMA Science

Which polarization option offered in Cycle 2 (single, dual, or full) is appropriate for my project?

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The OT will give you the choice of selecting Single (XX), Dual (XX, YY), or Full (XX, XY, YX, YY) polarization.

The default 'Dual' option will be the best choice for the vast majority of projects not requiring polarization measurements. In single polarization observations half the source flux is discarded. However, you may want to select the single polarization if your project requires the very highest spectral resolution achievable (although you will sacrifice sensitivity and require a longer observing time).  If your project requires polarization, you must select the Full polarization option.  In Cycle 2, Full polarization is offered only for single continuum, on-axis observations in bands 3, 6, and 7 at standard predefined frequencies.

See section 6.2 of the ALMA Cycle 2 Capabilities for more information.