The bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF), symbol
, is a function of four real variables that defines how light from a source is reflected off an opaque surface. It is employed in the optics of real-world light, in computer graphics algorithms, and in computer vision algorithms. The function takes an incoming light direction,
, and outgoing direction,
(taken in a coordinate system where the surface normal
lies along the z-axis), and returns the ratio of reflected radiance exiting along
to the irradiance incident on the surface from direction
. Each direction
is itself parameterized by azimuth angle
and zenith angle
, therefore the BRDF as a whole is a function of 4 variables. The BRDF has units sr, with steradians (sr) being a unit of solid angle.
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