Retrieval of dust-particle refractive index using the phenomenon of negative polarization

摘要

We study the phenomenon of negative polarization in irregularly shaped agglomerated debris particles. We find that the location of the negative polarization minimum is unambiguously governed by Re(m). Furthermore, the amplitude of the negative polarization puts a strong constraint on the material absorption in target particles regardless of their real part of refractive index Re(m). The interrelation can be parameterized with a simple formula and it can be utilized in remote sensing. We apply our finding to laboratory optical measurements of Allende meteorite at lambda=0.633 mu m and estimate its complex refractive index to be m approximate to (1.68-1.83)+(0.01-0.02)i. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.