Infrared polarimetry and the interstellar magnetic field
T. J. Jones;
ApJ, 1989, 346, 728
ABSTRACT:A good correlation between interstellar polarization and interstellar extinction is found at 2.2 microns for almost all lines of sight.
This
correlation has a slope less than unity, holds true over a range in optical depth of a
factor of 100, and is independent of the physical path length.
A model
involving equal contributions from a uniform component and a random component to
the interstellar magnetic field fits the data well.
These results imply
that the two components of the interstellar magnetic field maintain
roughly the same proportions and strength in most phases of the ISM.
KEYWORDS: infrared astronomy, interstellar extinction, interstellar magnetic fields, polarimetry, polarized radiation, astronomical models, cosmic dust
PERSOKEY:polarisation, nir, extinction, magnetic field, ,
CODE: jones89