# Circular spectropolarimetric sensing of vegetation in the field; possibilities for the remote detection of extraterrestrial life

## TL;DR

This study demonstrates the use of circular spectropolarimetry to distinguish photosynthetic life from abiotic matter in the field and explores its potential for remote extraterrestrial life detection.

## Contribution

It introduces a field-deployable circular spectropolarimeter, TreePol, and shows its effectiveness in identifying biosignatures remotely, advancing biosignature detection methods.

## Key findings

- Photosynthetic life can be distinguished from abiotic matter using circular polarization.
- Circular polarization signals can monitor terrestrial vegetation remotely.
- The method has potential for extraterrestrial life detection.

## Abstract

Homochirality is a generic and unique property of all biochemical life and the fractional circular polarization of light it induces therefore constitutes a potentially unambiguous biosignature.} However, while high-quality circular polarimetric spectra can be easily and quickly obtained in the laboratory, accurate measurements in the field are much more challenging due to large changes in illumination and target movement. In this study we have measured various targets in the field, up to distances of a few kilometers, using the dedicated circular spectropolarimeter TreePol. We show how photosynthetic life can readily be distinguished from abiotic matter. We underline the potential of circular polarization signals as a remotely accessible means to characterize and monitor terrestrial vegetation, e.g. for agriculture and forestry. Additionally, we discuss the potential of circular polarization for the remote detection of extraterrestrial life.