Abstract The evidence is corroborating according to which blazar-type sources may show a substantial degree of circular polarization (CP) even at high frequencies (i.e. well in the optically-thin regime). Recent high resolution observations of the quasar 3C279 with the FORS polarimeter at the ESO-VLT for example, indicate a variable, optical circular polarization occasionally exceeding 1%. Here we present an analysis of possible scenarios for the origin of optical CP in 3C279 and assess their plausibility given the observational constraints.
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