Wavelength dependence of the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of beach sands

Appl Opt. 2015 Nov 1;54(31):F243-55. doi: 10.1364/AO.54.00F243.

Abstract

The wavelength dependence of the dominant directional reflective properties of beach sands was demonstrated using principal component analysis and the related correlation matrix. In general, we found that the hyperspectral bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of beach sands has weak wavelength dependence. Its BRDF varies slightly in three broad wavelength regions. The variations are more evident in surfaces of greater visual roughness than in smooth surfaces. The weak wavelength dependence of the BRDF of beach sand can be captured using three broad wavelength regions instead of hundreds of individual wavelengths.