Observational Aspects of Hard X-ray Polarimetry A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Tanmoy Chattopadhyay (Roll No. 11330008) Under the guidance of Dr. Santosh V. Vadawale Associate Professor Astronomy & Astrophysics Division Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India. DISCIPLINE OF PHYSICS INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GANDHINAGAR 2015