Specular Reflectance - Sampling Method Description
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Josh Stapleton
102 MRI Bldg
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Ph: 814-863-2224
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The VW Absolute Specular Reflectance accessory(link to manufacture [1]) is designed to measure the 'mirror-like' reflectance from a sample surface. Specular reflectance is useful in the characterization of surfaces such as mirrors or gloss paints. In addition, it can be used to determine the degree of polishing of an optical surface, or to measure the film thickness of thin coatings.
A diagram of the optical components of this accessory is shown to the right.
The dual 'VW' design (note the beam path follows the shapes of the letters “V” and “W”) features a kinematically mounted spherical mirror which is used for both calibration and sample measurement. With the exception of the sample, the same optical elements are always in the light path, providing a true absolute reflectance measurement. This is in contrast to designs which measure the sample relative to an aluminum mirror or those which use two 'matched' mirrors and assume that they will remain matched.