Abstract

We got involved with black glass for 2 reasons. We wanted a glass ball to use as a reference for calibrating reference spheres in an interferometer but did not want a reflection from the rear surface of the ball. Thus the need for a highly absorbing glass. Also, we wanted some partially polished surfaces with very specific, stable and reproducible surface statistics for use in calibrating BRDF instruments. Light scattered from the bulk or back surface of clear glass would interfere with the desired scattering from the front surface and thus the need for black or absorbing glass in this case as well.

© 1994 Optical Society of America