Bidirectional reflectance distribution function: Difference between revisions

From Citizendium
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>Olier Raby
(Cat.)
imported>Joe Quick
m (subpages)
Line 1: Line 1:
In [[radiometry]], the bidirectional reflectance distribution function describes how energy reflecting of a surface is spread over the hemisphere.  It is a function of five variables:
{{subpages}}
In [[radiometry]], the '''bidirectional reflectance distribution function''' describes how energy reflecting of a surface is spread over the hemisphere.  It is a function of five variables:


* Spectral Location (e.g. Wavelength)
* Spectral Location (e.g. Wavelength)
Line 10: Line 11:


Because the BRDF is a function of five variables, it is often characterized by making measurements at a small set of angles and wavelengths and then fitting a mathematical model to the data.
Because the BRDF is a function of five variables, it is often characterized by making measurements at a small set of angles and wavelengths and then fitting a mathematical model to the data.
[[Category:Physics Workgroup]]
[[Category:CZ Live]]

Revision as of 20:38, 19 December 2007

This article is a stub and thus not approved.
Main Article
Discussion
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
Citable Version  [?]
 
This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

In radiometry, the bidirectional reflectance distribution function describes how energy reflecting of a surface is spread over the hemisphere. It is a function of five variables:

  • Spectral Location (e.g. Wavelength)
  • Incident Zenith
  • Incident Azimuth
  • Exitant Zenith
  • Exitant Azimuth

A surface whose BRDF spreads incident energy evenly over the hemisphere is called lambertian or "diffuse". A surface that for a given incident vector reflects all or most energy in to the mirrored direction is called "specular".

Because the BRDF is a function of five variables, it is often characterized by making measurements at a small set of angles and wavelengths and then fitting a mathematical model to the data.