Linear Spectropolarimetry of Young and Other Emission Line Stars

Abstract

The aim of this article is to demonstrate the useful role that can be played by spectropolarimetric observations of young and evolved emission line stars that analyse the linearly polarized component in their spectra. At the time of writing, this demonstration has to be made on the basis of optical data since there is no common-user infrared facility, in operation, that offers the desired combination of spectral resolution and sensitivity. If the new ESO instrument, CRIRES, can be characterised to sufficient precision, it may become the first capable of performing such science.