The spatial distribution of light through a rectangular gap bounded by highly reflective, diffuse surfaces was measured and compared with the results of Monte Carlo simulations. Incorporating radiant properties for real surfaces into a Monte Carlo code was seen to be a significant problem; a number of techniques for accomplishing this are discussed. Independent results are reported for measured values of the bidirectional reflectance distribution function over incident polar angles from 0 to 90 deg for a semidiffuse surface treatment (Krylon™ flat white spray paint). The inclusion of this information into a Monte Carlo simulation yielded various levels of agreement with experimental results. The poorest agreement occurred when the incident radiation was at a grazing angle with respect to the surface and the reflectance was nearly specular.

Issue Section:
Radiative Transfer
Keywords:
Numerical Methods, Radiation, Radiation Interactions
Topics:
Radiation (Physics), Simulation, Surface properties, Reflectance, Aerosol paints, Numerical analysis, Surface finishing
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