Introduction

The present invention consists in the description of a methodology for analyzing scattered light from a diffusive sample, based on the scattering of the light beam leaving the sample under examination and which pass trought an fluorescent diffuser. The shooting of the image takes place through the use of a digital camera and its subsequent processing.

Technical features

The set-up, related to the invention, is very simple and compact; the key element of the proposed set-up is the block “fluorescent diffuser + CCD camera” placed at different distances from the sample, to have detailed information on the diffused light at the various angles with higher resolution. Thanks to the proposed system, there is no need to make angular measurements to have the entire three-dimensional mapping of the beam coming out of the sample with consequent reduction of measurement times. With this system, repeated measurements can be made to obtain information on the temporal behavior of the sample under examination and instant information of the refractive (n) and extinction (k) indices can be obtained. The appearance factor of the particles and their degree of alignment within the film and the uniformity of the film itself can also be assessed.

Possible Applications

• Angular measurement of scattered light;
• Measurement of the refractive index of particles, like DLS (Dinamic Light Scattering);
• Profilometric analysis; Roughness analysis;
• 3D reconstruction of artifacts both in the Industrial and in the Arts fields.

Advantages

• Analysis of the entire distribution of diffused light;
• Better angular resolution of the scattered light;
• Possibility of real-time measurement;
• Simplicity of post-processing;
• Possibility of reducing measurement times and costs;
• No additional optics and integrating spheres should be used.