Polarization properties of FEL lamps as applied to radiometric calibration

The polarization of the irradiance from several 1000 W FEL lamps was measured between 450 and 900 nm. These lamps are universally used as irradiance calibration standards in radiometric laboratories. The irradiance was polarized between 2.3% and 3.2%, with the polarization axis aligned with the coiled filament, nearly perpendicular to the lamp axis. We have presented a simple model of the filament that explains the degree of polarization and the plane of polarization, based on the polarized emissivity of tungsten, and gives an approximate value for this polarization. While the irradiance is polarized, this polarization does not significantly effect the polarization of the light when reflected from a Spectralon plaque (Labsphere, Inc.). The polarization of these lamps should be considered when these FEL lamps are used to characterize optical instruments, particularly grating spectrometers without polarization scrambling devices.