Bidirectional Reflectance (BRDF)

The bidirectional reflectance (BRDF) of a surface is defined as the ratio of the luminous radiance reflected into a unit solid angle to the total incident radiance.

Features and Benefits

BRDF testing can be performed over a wide range of wavelengths by using broad band sources and bandpass filters. Most competitors utilize only laser sources and are restricted to those wavelengths.

The following are features for BRDF measurements made on the standard SOC BRDF goniometer:

Wavelengths: 0.4 to 14.0 micron (discrete wavelengths using bandpass filters).
Incident Angles: normal incidence to 80° incidence from normal.
Reflected Angles: -85 to +85° from normal (in zenith). Full 360° azimuthal (rotational) coverage.
Sample size: ½ “ square or diameter up to 4“ square or diameter.
Mapping techniques: In-plane only, In-plane and cross-plane, or Full Hemispherical Mapping (Full Mapping)

Applications

Aerospace

Verification of paint and coating
Stray light analysis

Energy and Solar Power

Determining the specularity (mirror-like qualities) of reflective components.

Military

Military defense
Aircraft and ground target signature modeling

Remote Sensing

Simulator scene generation
Ground truth
Material mapping

The Optical Properties Measurements Lab at Surface Optics Corporation (SOC) is the world leader in bidirectional and hemispherical directional reflectance, transmittance, and emittance testing services.

Established in 1977 to meet the measurement needs of the aerospace and military industries, today the lab has expanded to serve customers in commercial electronics, aviation, computer generated imagery, construction, energy and SOC’s own coatings development and analytical instrumentation engineering.

Over 40 years later we continue the lab’s mission to provide accurate, repeatable, and traceable optical property measurements to our customers. Our deep technical expertise and robust quality assurance program ensures high quality testing from the moment your samples arrive at our AS9100 certified facility until the data is delivered into your hands.