Polarisation in nature, science and technology in the visible and near infrared spectral range

Abstract

An overview is given about the polarisation of visible and near infrared light in nature. an histrical abstract of the discovery of polarised light is presented. The processes producing polarised light as well as its "usage" in nature is shown. A short introduction will provide an inside, how polarisation is treated in science by solvingthe radiative transfer equation. The focus is put here on remote sensing. The problems which arise due to polarisation for remote sensing optical technology are pointed out. At the end an application of püolarisation measurements with POLDER/ADEOS from space to derive aerosol characteristics is presented.