Application of Kubelka‐Munk theory of diffuse reflectance to geologic problems: The role of scattering

Abstract

We have used the Kubelka‐Munk theory of diffuse reflectance to learn about the manifestations of light scattering in reflectance spectra in geologically significant situations. For wavelength‐independent scattering (dimensions of the scattering centers greater than the wavelength of the incident radiation), the band depths and shapes are related to the scattering power of the medium. For wavelength‐dependent scattering (dimensions of the scattering centers comparable to or less than the wavelength of the incident radiation), additionally found were longward shifts in band minima and a general declining trend in reflectance with increasing wavelength. This effect may be responsible for the negative slope in the near‐IR reflectance spectra of the dark regions of Mars. For both kinds of scattering, nodes are observed in sets of normalized reflectance spectra when certain conditions are satisfied.