Abstract: A method and apparatus for photogoniometric analysis of surfaces is disclosed. A photogoniometric instrument includes a light source (12) for providing a collimated beam of light illuminating a test surface (18). A light detector (20) is mounted for rotation about the point of intersection of the illuminating beam on the test surface. A motor (44) drives the detector through a range of reflectance angles, and a microcomputer (52) digitizes the detector output periodically, storing the digitized data words in its memory (68). These stored words define a photogoniometric curve (FIG. 2A) including a specular portion (FIG. 2D) and a nonspecular, or diffuse, portion (FIG. 2C). A host computer (62) receives the photogoniometric data from the microcomputer, deconvolutes the data into spectral and diffuse portions, and analyzes the two portions separately from one another.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which is characterized by a motor, a transmission, e.g., a continuously variable ratio friction transmission, and apparatus for interrupting power to the motor for a precise interval of time. A particular utilization of this device is for a photosedimentometer to enable more accurate determinations of particle size and size distribution.