Assessing the capacity of two-flux models to predict the spectral properties of layered materials

Abstract

A classical way of coloring a surface in order to create a still image is the application of a colored coating. The more recent digital printing systems enable depositing thick coatings or successive ink layers. The color rendering of the surface depends on the optical properties of the coated materials (optical index, spectral scattering and absorption coefficients) and their thickness. In order to predict its spectral reflectance as a function of these parameters, the so-called two-flux approach is to be tested in first since the model is simple and relies on analytical equations. It has a good chance to provide accurate predictions for coatings made of solid layers of strongly scattering or nonscattering media, or even complex stratified coatings obtained by stacking nonsymmetrical components such as printed films. The generalized Kubelka-Munk model summarized in this paper enables treating all these configurations with a unified mathematical formalism. But it has limitations and may provide poor color predictions for certain types of layered materials. We therefore propose a simple method based on parameters of the model to check the precision of the two-flux model for a given type of coating.