Introduction to Spectropolarimetry

Download or read book Introduction to Spectropolarimetry written by Jose Carlos del Toro Iniesta and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2003-03-06 with total page 247 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.