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Polarizers and polarization maps

 

Three mesh polarizers are mounted on the entrance wheel, in addition to the free hole normally used in the photometric mode. For both channels they provide polarization analyzers at the 3 position angles 0, +120 and +240 degrees with respect to the Y+ direction. These position angles are the same as for the polarizers in PHOT.

The spectral transmission of the 3 components, for light linearly polarized in their plane of polarization, is very close to the spectral transmission of the filter used in the configuration.

Table gif gives the uncertainty dP on the linear polarization ratio P, as a function of the signal-to-noise ratio of the measurement (first column) and of P (first line). dP can also be computed directly with the following formula:

  
Table: Accuracy dP on the polarization ratio P, as a function of P and of the S/N ratio of the measurement

The instrumental polarization will be calibrated in flight. The pyramid mirror of the telescope, at 45 incidence angle, should be the main contributor to it, but the effect is expected to be low on such a cold gold coated surface.



ISOCAM Observer's Manual - V1.0
Tue Oct 31 12:06:23 MET 1995