Abstract

Many data on the bidirectional reflectance properties of surfaces have been obtained by Environmental Research Institute of Michigan. The data include polarization properties represented by the bidirectional Stokes parameters. The optical properties of paints and coatings are characterized by a set of empirically derived parameters in the Maxell-ERIM surface model based on the zero-bistatic-polarization curves of these surfaces. We are in the initial stages of correlating the polarimetric optical reflectance/scattering properties of surfaces with theiractual physical properties, such as surface roughness, microstructure, and optical index of refraction. We are including the associated effects of shadowing, incident and viewing geometry, and source spatial and temporal coherence.

© 1990 Optical Society of America