Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

High-Throughput Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence and Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy Using a Photonic Chip
Published on: November 16, 2019
Real-time rendering of rough refraction
Charles de Rousiers1, Adrien Bousseau, Kartic Subr
1University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. charles.derousiers@gmail.com
Abstract:
We present an algorithm to render objects made of transparent materials with rough surfaces in real-time, under all-frequency distant illumination. Rough surfaces cause wide scattering as light enters and exits objects, which significantly complicates the rendering of such materials. We present two contributions to approximate the successive scattering events at interfaces, due to rough refraction: First, an approximation of the Bidirectional Transmittance Distribution Function (BTDF), using spherical Gaussians, suitable for real-time estimation of environment lighting using preconvolution; second, a combination of cone tracing and macrogeometry filtering to efficiently integrate the scattered rays at the exiting interface of the object. We demonstrate the quality of our approximation by comparison against stochastic ray tracing. Furthermore we propose two extensions to our method for supporting spatially varying roughness on object surfaces and local lighting for thin objects.
Related Concept Videos
Accelerating Fluids
The motion of the liquid within this infinitesimal cylinder is considered to obtain the pressure difference. Three vertical forces act on this liquid:
Uniform Depth Channel Flow
Reflection of Waves
Rapidly Varying Flow
Viscosity of Fluid
Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy

