| This thesis is a spectropolarimetric survey of broad absorption line quasi-stellar objects (BAL QSO). We observed 36 BAL QSO at the Palomar and W. M. Keck Observatories.; BAL QSO have higher polarization than other quasars, reinforcing the view that they are normal quasars viewed from an equatorial aspect. However, there is a wide distribution of polarization values, which may be due to intrinsic differences in the geometry or optical depth to scattering. No correlations are found among emission line or broad absorption line properties and continuum polarization, suggesting that these properties are regulated by internal differences unrelated to viewing angle. The continuum polarization of BAL QSO is weakly wavelength-dependent after correction for emission line dilution. In most objects, the polarisation rises to the blue, suggesting that dust scattering or absorption may be important.; Broad emission line photons are polarized less than the continuum; and the position angle of the electric vector is rotated with respect to the continuum. The semi-forbidden C III) emission line is polarized differently than the C IV emission line, suggesting resonance scattering in the C III) emission line region. Resonantly scattered photons from the broad absorption line region are detected at high velocities red-ward and blue-ward of the C IV line center in the spectra of some objects. These photons are negatively polarized with respect to the continuum photons, showing that the broad absorption line region and the continuum scattering region are oriented perpendicular to each other.; The polarization increases in the BAL troughs, due mainly to partial coverage of the central source by the broad absorption line region. The geometry of the intervening BAL clouds is skewed with respect to the continuum scattering region, which results in position angle rotations in the BAL. The variation of polarization with velocity in the BAL is consistent with a non-radial, accelerating outflow of ionized gas. Our polarimetry observations are consistent with a model which unifies BAL QSO and non-BAL QSO. The BAL wind appears to occupy a narrow range of equatorial latitudes. When we view a QSO through this outflow, we see the characteristic troughs in BAL QSO. |
