Characterizations of the mirror attenuator mosaic: solar diffuser plate

The mirror attenuator mosaic (MAM), a solar diffuser plate, was used for the flight calibration of the broadband shortwave (0.2-5-microm) and total (0.2 to >200-microm) Earth Radiation Budget Experiment scanning thermistor bolometer radiometers. The MAM solar-reflecting surface cosisted of a tightly packed array of vacuum-deposited aluminum, concave spherical mirrors, while its solar-absorbing surface consisted of black chrome. The effective reflectance of the MAM was constant to within +/-2% after almost 2 years in orbit, a marked improvement over earlier solar diffusers.