| Abstract: | The various embodiments presented herein relate to utilizing light in
conjunction with an optical Fourier transform to examine and quantify
roughness of a surface. The surface includes a plurality of flaked
particles. The surface is illuminated with a light beam, wherein light
reflected from the surface passes through an f-theta lens and is
collected at a light sensitive array (LSA). The LSA comprises light
sensitive pixels. For an arrangement where the flakes are conformal with
the surface, a low degree of light scattering occurs at the surface. For
a surface comprising tipped and/or tilted flakes, a correlating degree of
scattering of the incident light beam occurs. The surface roughness is
quantified based upon the distribution of angular reflections of the
scattered light represented in an image formed through use of the LSA. |