Diffuse Reflector

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Diffuse Reflector

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Any surface which reflects incident rays in a mutliplicity of directions, either because of irregularities in the surface or because the material is optically inhomogeneous, as a paint, although optically smooth; the opposite of a specular reflector. See perfectly diffuse reflector. </dd>
Ordinary writing papers are good examples of diffuse reflectors, where as mirrors or highly polished metal plates are examples of specular reflectors. Almost all terrestrial surfaces (except calm water) act as diffuse reflectors of incident solar radiation. </dd>

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use