Minor planets and related objects. XVI. Polarimetric diameters.

Polarimetric observations of 43 asteroids are presented. All objects show a well-developed negative polarization branch as an indicator of unconsolidated surface regoliths. The empirical slope-albedo law for diffusely reflecting solid surfaces is reexamined and used to compute polarimetric albedos and diameters for 30 asteroids. In many cases the results are in good agreement with infrared-radiometric diameters; the older visual diameter measurements were systematically too small. Radiometric albedos below 5%, however, are not confirmed by the polarimetry. Bimodal frequency distributions are noted for asteroid color, albedo, and the depth of the negative polarization branch. Correlations between B - V color and polarimetric parameters suggest that most of the asteroid population can be divided into silicaceous and carbonaceous opacity classes.