Polarimeter calibration error gets far out of control

摘要

This is a sad story about a polarization calibration error gone amuck. A simple laboratory mistake was mistaken for a new phenomena. Aggressive management did their job and sold the flawed idea very effectively and substantial funding followed. Questions were raised and a Government lab tried but couldn't to recreate the breakthrough. The results were unpleasant and the field of infrared polarimetry developed a bad reputation for several years.