The diffuse reflectance and depolarization properties of natural and powdered minerals were examined at 128 CO₂ laser wavelengths. Powder reflectivity was classified into three regimes: (1) surface (reststrahlen); (2) low intermediate; and (3) bulk (Kubelka-Munk) remission from subsurface grains. Data are presented on NaCl, Al₂O₃, MgO, BaCO₃, CaCO₃, BaSO₄, feldspar (NaAlSi₃O₈), and apatite [Ca₅F(PO₄)₃]. Reduction of feldspar rocks to 210-µm grain size had little effect on their reflectance spectra. Kubelka-Munk-type behavior seems unlikely to dominate the reflectance spectra of natural surfaces. Albedos were measured for NaCl, sulfur, gold-plated sandpaper, graphite, and sandblasted aluminum.

© 1985 Optical Society of America

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