Measurement of bidirectional transmittance distribution function in the visible and near-infrared spectral range

Abstract This work characterizes a facility for bidirectional transmittance distribution function (BTDF) measurements in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) wavelength range. The facility includes an absolute reference gonioreflectometer, with an extended capability for BTDF measurements, and a commercial instrument, Cary 7000, using a goniometer extension, Universal Measurement Accessory. The facility characterization includes measurements of two quasi-Lambertian diffusers for their BTDF. The diffuser samples include a piece of porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a piece of fused synthetic silica, HOD-500. The samples are measured for their spectral BTDF in the wavelength range from 450 nm to 1650 nm in 50 nm steps, and in the viewing zenith angle range from −35° to 35° in 5° steps. Measurements are performed in-plane, using an incident zenith angle of 0°, while rotating the samples around their surface normal from 0° to 180° in 90° steps. Rotation of the sample serves the dual purpose of checking the sample rotational symmetry in azimuth angles and for averaging the measurement results. The characterization results show that both samples exhibit Lambertian characteristics across the visible and NIR wavelength range. Furthermore, both samples show a smooth increase in their spectral BTDF as a function of wavelength. Notably, the PTFE sample demonstrates a steeper slope in its spectral BTDF and a higher signal above 650 nm. The facility capability for measurements of spectral BTDF is validated by a rigorous uncertainty analysis and by comparing the difference in measurement results between the absolute gonioreflectometer and the commercial instrument. Characterization results indicate that the absolute reference gonioreflectometer has a standard uncertainty ranging from 0.29% to 0.42%, dependent on the BTDF measurement wavelength. Experimental results show that the devices of the facility deviate in their BTDF within their combined expanded uncertainty, affirming the capability and reliability of the facility for BTDF measurements.