APPLICATION OF THE KUBELKA-MUNK THEORY TO THICKNESS-DEPENDENT DIFFUSE-REFLECTANCE OF BLACK PAINTS IN THE MID-IR

The Kubelka-Munk theory is applied to the thickness-dependent diffuse reflectance of black-painted samples in the mid-IR. The calculated abs orption and scattering coefficients are wavenumber-dependent. The refl ectance of the nonideal backing also shows spectral features, which is attributed to the reflections from the boundary surface between the s cattering medium and the substrate. The spectral dependence of scatter ing penetration depth is caused by the scattering and absorption proce sses. At some wavenumbers, the diffuse reflectance is independent of l ayer thickness, because of particular values of the parameters of the applied theory. The application of the Kubelka-Munk function is discus sed.