Circular Polarization of Light Scattered from Rough Surfaces
Open Access
- 1 July 1972
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Vol. 158 (3) , 291-304
- https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/158.3.291
Abstract
It is suggested that double reflection of light on rough and absorbing surfaces (complex index of refraction) is the principal cause of the circular polarization observed on Mars, Mercury and the Moon as well as on rock samples studied in the laboratory by Pospergelis. Two simple models of rough surfaces are presented. The fractional circular polarization obtained with such models, using geometrical optics and Fresnel's laws, and its dependence on the scattering angles is compared with observations. Generally good agreement is obtained within the limitations of the models.Keywords
This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: