Introduction to Spectropolarimetry

by Jose Carlos del Toro Iniesta

Overview

Spectropolarimetry embraces the most complete and detailed measurement and analysis of light, as well as its interaction with matter. This book provides an introductory overview of the subject because it is playing an increasingly important role in modern solar observations. Chapters include a comprehensive description of the polarization state of polychromatic light and its measurement; an overview of astronomical polarimetry; and the formation of spectral lines in the presence of a magnetic field. The text is a valuable reference for graduates and researchers in astrophysics, solar physics and optics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521036481
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/31/2007
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Jose Carlos del Toro Iniesta is a Tenure Scientist at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía in Spain.

Table of Contents

Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Historical introduction; 2. A review of some basic concepts; 3. The polarization properties of quasi-monochromatic light; 4. Linear optical systems acting on polarized light; 5. Solar polarimetry; 6. Absorption and dispersion; 7. The radiative transfer equation; 8. The RTE in the presence of a magnetic field; 9. Solving the radiative transfer equation; 10. Stokes spectrum diagnostics; 11. Inversion of the RTE; Index.