Thin Solid Films, Vol.392, No.2, 282-288, 2001
A pseudo-Fresnel approach for predicting directional optical properties of coated glazing
For a realistic computation of the visual light and solar energy properties of coated glazing, we need to know the angular behaviour of its optical properties. In a previous paper, the author has proposed a new type of algorithm for the prediction of this angular behaviour. The algorithm is based on a pseudo-Fresnel model in which the complex Fresnel equations and multi-layer calculations are replaced by more simple expressions. In this algorithm it is assumed that the angular dependency of the optical properties of a coated glass is mostly determined by the directional reflection at the air-glass and air-coating interfaces. The only data required by the algorithm are reflectance and transmittance values obtained at (near-) normal. incidence. The present work has been focused on the application of the algorithm for double-glazing and improving the approach by incorporating multiple reflections between the interfaces. In this paper, different variants of the algorithm are discussed. The results obtained by these algorithms are compared with accurately measured directional optical properties. The results show that in order to obtain sufficient agreement it is necessary to divide the various types of glazing into different groups and use different algorithms for each group.