The inclusion of source effect consideration in irradiance determination

In optical radiometry, an accurate realization of spectral irradiance scale depends on the investigation of both optical radiation source's and detecting unit's (filter radiometer) features. In the source part; comprehensive theoretical and experimental analysis of effects of lamp filament emissivity and its alterations due to the thermal and geometrical factors on the irradiance were studied. Meanwhile, detailed optical characterizations such as; determination of detecting element responsivity, transmittance of filters and measurements of aperture area were also made for the detecting element part. The inclusion of the source effects and the comprehensive theoretical and experimental investigation resulted in the reduction of the number of estimated parameters to be used in matching the theoretical and experimental data, thereby improving the current uncertainty. Moreover, the method we used in this work to analyze the parameters that may affect the irradiance is considered to bring a new approach to the evaluation of irradiance. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.