Bidirectional reflectance distribution function of thermal control coatings and heat-shielding materials illuminated by polarized light

Stokes parameters were measured for radiation reflected in the range 5° to 80° by silver-colored, white, and black thermal control coatings deposited on an aluminum alloy substrate, by green paint on a phenolic plastic surface, and by uncoated carbon-fiber reinforced plastic illuminated by linearly polarized He–Ne laser radiation at an incident angle of –5°. The bidirectional reflectance distribution function of the investigated samples was determined as a function of the view zenith angle.