Technical Guide: Reflectance Spectroscopy

Reflectance Spectroscopy is a versatile tool that allows us to accurately measure the flux per wavelength of light reflected from a sample. Whether the sample be specular (as from a polished metal surface), diffuse (as from a packed powder sample), or something in between (as in a paint or plastic sample), reflectance spectroscopy can give you information about the material's chemical composition or formulation that is not available by other methods of analysis. In addition, Reflectance Spectroscopy in the 'visible' region of the spectra – that area between roughly 380 nm to 740 nm – allows quantitation of color measurement for biological, pharmaceutical, commercial, and artistic applications.

This Technical Guide looks at the types of reflectance measurements from materials and the information that can be gained from each. Submitted By Labsphere, Inc