Representative Layer Theory: Describing Absorption by ParticulateSamples

摘要

This paper summarizes the Representative Layer Theory of diffuse reflection, and contrasts it with other mainstreamtheoretical approaches. A brief historical perspective is provided on the development of modeling strategies, broadlyclassified as those using continuous and discontinuous mathematics. It is shown that a sample composed of a series ofdistinct layers can be modeled straightforwardly and accurately using a discontinuous approach. The focus of the paperis the Representative Layer Theory, which broadens the discontinuous modeling approach so that it is applicable toparticulate samples. Experimental data validating the Representative Layer Theory is presented and the theory will beshown to explain some observed physical phenomena that were long known but not well understood. Examples aredrawn from Near-Infrared Spectroscopy but the modeling approaches presented are applicable to other types ofspectroscopy.