Introduction to Spectropolarimetry

This book presents a complete overview of spectropolarimetry for graduates and researchers.

Jose Carlos del Toro Iniesta (Author)

9780521818278, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 March 2003

244 pages, 58 b/w illus. 2 tables
24.4 x 17 x 1.4 cm, 0.59 kg

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 area, which plays 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 (solar) polarimetry, the radiative transfer equation for polarized light, and the formation of spectral lines in the presence of a magnetic field. Most topics are dealt with within the realm of classical physics, although a small amount of quantum mechanics is introduced where necessary. This text will be a valuable reference for graduates and researchers in astrophysics, solar physics and optics.

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.

Subject Areas: Optical physics [PHJ], Astronomical observation: observatories, equipment & methods [PGG]