Measurements and Predictions of Light Scattering by Clear Coatings

Published

May 1, 2001

Author(s)

M E. McKnight, Theodore V. Vorburger, Egon Marx, Maria E. Nadal, P Y. Barnes, Michael A. Galler

Abstract

Comparisons are made between calculations and measured angle-resolved light scattering distributions from clear dielectric isotropic epoxy coatings over a range of rms roughness conditions, resulting in strongly specular scattering characteristics. Calculated distributions are derived from topography measurements performed with interferometric microscopes. Two methods of calculations are used. One determines the intensity of scattered light waves using a phase integral in the Kirchoff approximation. The other is based on the reflection of light rays by locally flat surfaces. The angle-resolved scattering distributions for the coatings are measured with the spectral trifunction automated reference reflectometer (STARR) developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Comparisons between measured and calculated results are shown for three surfaces with rms roughness values of approximately 3, 150, and 800 nm for an angle of incidence of 20 .

Citation

Applied Optics

Volume

40

Issue

No. 13

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

appearance, BRDF, coatings, measurement, modeling, scattering

Citation

McKnight, M. , Vorburger, T. , Marx, E. , Nadal, M. , Barnes, P. and Galler, M. (2001), Measurements and Predictions of Light Scattering by Clear Coatings, Applied Optics, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=860265 (Accessed October 14, 2025)