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| Paper: |
Polarization of Leaves and Life |
| Volume: |
449, Astronomical Polarimetry 2008: Science from Small to Large Telescopes |
| Page: |
399 |
| Authors: |
Sterzik, M.; Bagnulo, S. |
| Abstract: |
Homochirality (i.e., the exclusive use of L-amino-acids and
D-sugar in biological material) causes a significant induction of
circular polarization in the diffuse reflectance spectra of biotic
materials. Among many other biopolymers, photosynthetic pigments
(e.g. chlorophyll) induce between 0.1% and 1% circular
dichroism in its absorption bands. By making use of astronomical
instrumentation, namely, the EFOSC2 spectropolarimeter of the La
Silla-Paranal Observatory, we have measured the circular
polarization induced by reflectance of a Philodendron leaf in the
optical range. Here we present our results, that can be eventually
used for comparison with astronomical observations aimed at
detecting pre-biotic material in solar-system bodies. |
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