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PUBLICATIONS

Ray Model of Light Scattering by Flake Pigments or Rough Surfaces With Smooth Transparent Coatings

Published

Author(s)

Egon Marx, Thomas Germer

Abstract

We derive expressions for the intensity and polarization of light singly scattered by flake pigments or a rough surface beneath a smooth transparent coating using the ray or facet model. The distribution of local surface normals is used to calculate the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). We discuss the different distribution functions that can be used to characterize the distribution of local surface normals. The light scattering model is validated using measurements of the BRDF and polarization by a metallic flake pigmented coating. The results enable the extraction of a slope distribution function from the data, which is shown to be consistent over a variety of scattering geometries. These models are appropriate for estimating or predicting the appearance of flake pigment automotive paints.
Citation
Applied Optics
Volume
43(6)
Pub Type
Journals

Keywords

coating, facet, flake, paint, pigment, reflectance, roughness, scattering
Metrology and Manufacturing

Citation

Marx, E. and Germer, T. (2004), Ray Model of Light Scattering by Flake Pigments or Rough Surfaces With Smooth Transparent Coatings, Applied Optics (Accessed February 5, 2025)

Issues

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Created January 31, 2004, Updated October 12, 2021