| Author(s): |
W. E. Martin; E. Hesse; J. H. Hough; William Sparks; C. S. Cockell; Z. Ulanowski; Thomas A. Germer; B. Kaye; |
| Title: |
Polarized Optical Scattering Signatures from Biological Materials |
| Published: |
January 11, 2010 |
| Abstract: |
The polarization of laser light backscattered from biological samples has been measured over the wavelength range 350 to 850nm. Incident circular, linearly polarized, and unpolarized light produces significant spectrally prominent scattered polarizations in the case of samples containing chlorophyll such as leaves and cyanobacteria. Polarization scattering signatures are observed around the chlorophyll ‘red edge’ that may have diagnostic value in the search for life signatures from extrasolar planets. |
| Citation: |
Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer |
| Volume: |
111 |
| Pages: |
pp. 2444 - 2459 |
| Keywords: |
astrobiology; detection of life; polarization |
| Research Areas: |
Optics, Remote Sensing, Optical Scattering |
| PDF version: |
 Click here to retrieve PDF version of paper (1MB) |
