Abstract

Reduction of near specular scatter in optics has become increasingly important in the last few years. Scatter measurement is often confined to the region outside of a 1° or 2° cone centered about the specular beam. Scatter measured as a function angle generally increases without apparent limit as the specular beam is approached. [1] This paper reviews the importance of near specular scatter, examines measurement, and presents some data that illustrates how some of these fundamental limitations can be reduced. Two examples of problems with near specular scatter are presented here.

© 1987 Optical Society of America