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Archive for the ‘SOC-100’ Category

All That Glitters Isn’t the Same Gold: Using Surface Roughness to Manipulate Optical Properties of Materials 

March 6, 2026

Abstract: In thermal control design, stray-light suppression, and infrared sensor performance, the angular distribution of reflected energy is often as important as the total reflectance magnitude. This paper focuses on the “roughness crossover” regime—where a surface transitions from predominantly diffuse (Lambertian-like) scattering to predominantly specular (mirror-like) reflection. Using high-fidelity hemispherical-directional reflectance (HDR) measurements, we demonstrate […]

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SPECTRE Software Opening Screen

SPECTRE 11 Has Arrived: Here’s What’s New for SOC-100 Users

January 29, 2026

SPECTRE 11 is now fully compatible with Windows 11, providing reliable support on modern systems with improved performance and overall stability. Below is a list of additional new features included in this release. Customizable Spectra Traces Adjust colors, line width, and line styles for publication-ready graphics. Adjustable Plot Limits Users can now define custom axis […]

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3D visualization of bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a machine learning designed metasurface material

A New AI-Powered Method for Designing Infrared Metasurfaces

December 14, 2024

Metasurfaces are a revolutionary development in the world of optics. These are extremely sophisticated, customizable surfaces that have been tailored to reflect, absorb, or transmit light based on the designer’s needs. The complex structures on the material’s surface are of a sub-wavelength scale compared to the wavelength of interest. These structures act as “mini transmitters […]

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Optical Measurement of Z93 Thermal Coating on the International Space Station

September 23, 2020

Space-based construction materials must meet a range of requirements: mechanical robustness, lightweight characteristics, and tolerance to heat. There are three optical requirements for heat management to protect sensitive instrumentation and personnel: high solar reflectance, high thermal emissivity, and a sufficiently diffuse surface. These properties ensure that the spacecraft will remain cool, and the thermal control […]

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Measurement and analysis of optical surface properties for input to ShipIR

April 22, 2009

The application of advanced low observable treatments to ground vehicles has led to a requirement for a better understanding of effects of light scattering from surfaces. Measurements of the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) fully describe the angular scattering properties of materials, and these may be used in signature simulations to quantitatively characterize the optical […]

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Extended performance infrared directional reflectometer for the measurement of total, diffuse and specular reflectance

October 7, 1994

This paper presents a description of a fully automated, computer-controlled Hemispherical Directional Reflectometer (HDR). It fills the need in many fields of research and development for a device with HDR measurement capabilities which is state-of-the-art in wavelength coverage to 25.0 μm and higher, angular polarization resolved coverage 20 to 80 degrees, partition of reflected radiation […]

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