The wavelength dependence of interstellar linear polarization
B. A. Wilking, M. J. Lebofsky, J. C. Kemp, P. G. Martin, G. H. Rieke;
ApJ, 1980, 235, 905
ABSTRACT:The wavelength dependence of interstellar linear polarization for 24 stars has been observed at
near-infrared wavelengths.
These measurements have been combined with existing
optical polarimetry (0.30-1.00 micron) to derive a new functional form for the
normalized polarization curve over this extended spectral range.
Underlying
the need for this new form is a progressive narrowing of the normalized
polarization curve as the wavelength of maximum polarization increases.
This
effect may arise from changes in the grain shape or narrowing of the size
distribution of the polarizing grains in regions which favor the growth of larger
grains.
KEYWORDS: interstellar matter, linear polarization, near infrared radiation, optical polarization, polarimetry, stellar structure, astronomical photometry, circular polarization, particle size distribution, polarimeters, stellar models
PERSOKEY:polarisation, nir, extinction, dust, optical, ,
CODE: wilking80