n A theory describing the optical behavior of materials containing small particles which scatter and absorb radiant energy. It is widely used for color matching calculations. The mathematical equation describes the reflectance or transmittance in terms of an absorption coefficient, K, and a scattering coefficient, S. The K-M theory is based on an assumption of multiple scattering, that is, reflectances from one particle on to other particles before the reflected radiant energy is observed. This assumed behavior is in contrast to the Mie Theory which is based on an assumption of single isolated scattering of individual particles. (Colour physics for industry, 2nd edn. McDonald, Roderick, Society of Deyes and Colourists, West Yorkshire, England, 1997).
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this entry
Cite this entry
Gooch, J.W. (2011). Kubelka-Munk Theory. In: Gooch, J.W. (eds) Encyclopedic Dictionary of Polymers. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6247-8_6720
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6247-8_6720
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-6246-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-6247-8
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics