Reflectance Measurement

Reflectance is light incident on the surface of a material that is reflected at an interface. Light not reflected from the sample is absorbed, scattered or transmitted. Very smooth or shiny, mirror-like surfaces have high specular reflectance, in which the incident light reflects in the same direction. Rough or matte surfaces have diffuse reflectance, where the incident light gets scattered in all directions. Most surfaces exhibit a combination of specular and diffuse reflectance. 

Advantages of Absorbance

• Non-destructive measurements: Most sample types can be measured repeatedly without affecting the sample
• Quantitative technique: Is more accurate than the human eye for determining sample color or examining differences among objects 
• Configure systems for specular and diffuse measurements of samples as diverse as auto parts, paint and coatings, coffee beans and fruit, and biospecimens