We present a survey of the extinction properties of ten lensing galaxies , in the redshift range z = 0.04 – 1.01 , using multiply lensed quasars imaged with the ESO VLT in the optical and near infrared .
The multiple images act as ‘ standard light sources ’ shining through different parts of the lensing galaxy , allowing for extinction studies by comparison of pairs of images .
We explore the effects of systematics in the extinction curve analysis , including extinction along both lines of sight and microlensing , using theoretical analysis and simulations .
In the sample , we see variation in both the amount and type of extinction .
Of the ten systems , seven are consistent with extinction along at least one line of sight .
The mean differential extinction for the most extinguished image pair for each lens is \bar { A } ( V ) = 0.56 \pm 0.04 , using Galactic extinction law parametrization .
The corresponding mean \bar { R } _ { V } = 2.8 \pm 0.4 is consistent with that of the Milky Way at R _ { V } = 3.1 , where R _ { V } = A ( V ) / E ( B - V ) .
We do not see any strong evidence for evolution of extinction properties with redshift .
Of the ten systems , B1152+199 shows the strongest extinction signal of A ( V ) = 2.43 \pm 0.09 and is consistent with a Galactic extinction law with R _ { V } = 2.1 \pm 0.1 .
Given the similar redshift distribution of SN Ia hosts and lensing galaxies , a large space based study of multiply imaged quasars would be a useful complement to future dark energy SN Ia surveys , providing independent constraints on the statistical extinction properties of galaxies up to z \sim 1 .