Martin, W.
, Hesse, E.
, Hough, J.
, Sparks, W.
, Cockell, C.
, Ulanowski, Z.
, Germer, T.
and Kaye, B.
(2010),
Polarized Optical Scattering Signatures from Biological Materials, Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=906031
(Accessed October 24, 2025)
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Polarized Optical Scattering Signatures from Biological Materials
Published
Author(s)
W. E. Martin, E. Hesse, J. H. Hough, William Sparks, C. S. Cockell, Z. Ulanowski, , B. Kaye
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
Pub Type
Journals
Download Paper
Keywords
astrobiology, detection of life, polarization
Citation
Issues
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Created January 10, 2010, Updated October 12, 2021