Perturbation theory results for the diffuse scattering of light from two-dimensional randomly rough metal surfaces

Using the unitarity and reciprocity preserving formulation of Brown et al a perturbation treatment, correct to fourth order in the surface profile function, is given for the scattering of electromagnetic waves from a weakly rough, two-dimensional, random metal surface. In this formulation the boundary conditions on the electromagnetic fields are satisfied using the extinction theorem in conjunction with the Rayleigh hypothesis and the vector equivalent of the Kirchhoff integral. The theory is applied to, and results are presented for, several different types of rough surfaces which are characterized by power spectra that are extensions to two-dimensional random surfaces of the power spectrum of some one-dimensional random surfaces recently fabricated by West and O'Donnell. These surfaces, which can be realized experimentally, favor coherent, interferent, multiple scattering of electromagnetic waves via surface plasmon polaritons in intermediate states, and clearly exhibit enhanced backscattering caused by the surface plasmon polariton mechanism. Theoretical results are presented for silver surfaces at optical wavelengths.     

Bistatic scattering and depolarization by randomly rough surfaces: application to the natural rough surfaces in X-band

Abstract

The scattering of waves by random rough surfaces has important applications in the remote sensing of oceans and land. The problem of developing a model for rough surfaces is very difficult since, at best, the scattering coefficient σ⁰ is dependent upon (at least) the radar frequency, geometrical and physical parameters, incident and observation angles, and polarization. The problem of electromagnetic scattering from a randomly rough surface is analysed using the Kirchhoff approximation (stationary phase, scalar approximation), the small-perturbation model and the two-scale models. A first major new consideration in this paper is the polarimetric signature calculations as a function of the transmitter location and receiver location for a bistatic radio-link. We calculate the like- and cross-polarized received power directly using the scattering coefficients, without calculating the Mueller matrix. Next, a study of the regions of validity of the Kirchhoff and small-perturbation rough surface scattering models (in the bistatic case) is presented. Comparisons between the numerical calculations and the models are made for various surface rms heights and correlation lengths both normalized to the incident wavenumber (denoted by σ and L, respectively). By using these two parameters to form a two-dimensional space, the approximate regions of validity are then established. The second major new consideration is the development of a theoretical two-scale model describing bistatic reflectivity as well as the numerical results computed for the bistatic radar cross section from rough surfaces especially from the sea and snow-covered surfaces. The results are used to show the Brewster angle effect on near-grazing angle scattering.     

Calculation of the scattering of electromagnetic waves from a two-dimensional perfectly conducting surface using the method of ordered multiple interaction

Abstract

Calculations, using the method of ordered multiple interaction (MOMI), of the scattering of electromagnetic waves from a two-dimensional, randomly rough, perfectly conducting surface with a ratio of RMS height [sgrave] to correlation length a of 1.0 or smaller are presented which demonstrate the robustness of the method. Convergence is achieved in six iterations or less. Some surfaces with [sgrave] = a = 1.0λ and certain topological features exhibited slow convergence. The MOMI inherently will show slow convergence when there are multiple back and forth scatterings. Since resonant scattering is characterized by this type of scattering, this suggests the presence of surface resonances on these surfaces.     

Numerical simulation methods for rough surface scattering

Abstract

Numerical methods are of great importance in the study of electromagnetic scattering from random rough surfaces. This review provides an overview of rough surface scattering and application areas of current interest, and surveys research in numerical simulation methods for both one- and two-dimensional surfaces. Approaches considered include numerical methods based on analytical scattering approximations, differential equation methods and surface integral equation methods. Emphasis is placed on recent advances such as rapidly converging iterative solvers for rough surface problems and fast methods for increasing the computational efficiency of integral equation solvers.     

Dispersion and damping of a surface plasmon polariton on a one-dimensional randomly rough metal surface

Abstract

By the use of the reduced Rayleigh equation for the amplitude of a surface plasmon polariton on a one-dimensional randomly rough metal surface that is in contact with vacuum, we calculate the dispersion and damping of the surface electromagnetic wave to the lowest nonzero order in the rms height of the surface. It is found that the frequency of the surface plasmon polariton is depressed by the surface roughness. The attenuation of the surface plasmon polariton in the long wavelength limit is due primarily to its scattering into other surface plasmon polaritons, while in the short wavelength limit it is due primarily to its roughness-induced scattering into volume electromagnetic waves in the vacuum. The energy mean free path of the surface plasmon polariton is shorter on a randomly rough metal surface than it is on a lossy planar metal surface, and the surface plasmon polariton is more tightly bound to a rough surface than to a planar one.     

Speckle correlations in the light scattered from weakly rough random metal surfaces

Abstract

Diagrammatic perturbation theory and computer simulation methods are used to compute the angular intensity correlation function C(q, k|q′,k′)=([I(q|k) - (I(q|k))] × [I(q′|k′) - (I(q′|k′))]) for p-polarized light scattered from a weakly rough, one-dimensional random metal surface. I(q|k) is the squared modulus of the scattering matrix for the system, and q, q′ and k, k′ are the projections on the mean scattering surface of the wavevectors of the scattered and incident light, respectively. Contributions to C include: (a) short-range memory effect and time-reversed memory effect terms, C ⁽¹⁾; (b) an additional short-range term of comparable magnitude C ⁽¹⁰⁾; (c) a long-range term C ⁽²⁾; (d) an infinite-range term C ⁽³⁾; and (e) a term C ^(1.5) that along with C ⁽²⁾ displays peaks associated with the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons. The diagrammatic methods are also extended to treat the angular intensity correlation function for the scattering of p to p, p to s, s to p, and s to s polarizations of light from a two-dimensional randomly rough surface. These correlations are again described in terms of C ⁽¹⁾, C ⁽¹⁰⁾, C ^(1.5), C ⁽²⁾, and C ⁽³⁾ contributions to C for the two-dimensional surfaces. Short-range memory and time-reversed memory effects are observed in the two-dimensional C ⁽¹⁾ correlations, and peaks associated with the excitation of surface polaritons are observed in the two-dimensional C ^(1.5) and C ⁽²⁾ correlations. Most of the results for the one- and two-dimensional systems are presented for incident electromagnetic plane waves. In addition, results for one-dimensional systems are presented for incident electromagnetic beams of finite width. Some of the results for one-dimensional surfaces are corroborated by means of computer simulation techniques.     

Wave diffraction by rough interfaces in an arbitrary plane-layered medium

Abstract

The problem of electromagnetic wave scattering by a slightly rough interface in an arbitrarily layered medium is solved by a small-perturbation method. The bistatic amplitude of scattering as well as the scattering cross sections for statistically rough surfaces are calculated for linear polarized waves. Along with scattering into up-going waves in a homogeneous medium and scattering cross sections in down-going waves into a layered medium, scattering amplitudes from a rough interface in the arbitrarily layered medium are obtained.     

Angular correlation function of wave scattering by a random rough surface and discrete scatterers and its application in the detection of a buried object

Abstract

The scattering of waves by a buried object is often obscured by the clutter around it. Such clutter can be attributed to the scattering by random rough surfaces and random discrete scatterers. Recent studies show that, because of the memory effect, the angular correlation function can suppress the effects of clutter and make the scattering by the buried object more conspicuous. In this paper, we study the angular correlation function of wave scattering by a buried object underneath a layer of random discrete scatterers and a non-Gaussian random rough surface. Such problems are common when the target is buried below a rough surface that is underneath a layer of vegetation. Numerical results are illustrated for various parameters of rough surfaces and discrete scatterers. The angular correlation function is calculated by frequency and angular averaging. It is shown that the use of the angular correlation function can enhance target detection in the presence of clutter.     

Scattering from a slightly random, one-dimensional metal surface: 45° linearly polarized incidence, backscattering enhancement and degree of polarization

The scattering of an electromagnetic wave from a slightly random metal surface which supports the surface plasmon mode at optical frequencies is studied theoretically by means of a stochastic functional approach. In order to investigate the Stokes matrix or the state of polarizations, as well as the intensity of the scattered waves, the rough surface is assumed to be one dimensional, and is illuminated by a+45° linearly polarized plane electromagnetic (light) wave whose plane of incidence is perpendicular to the grooves of the surface. The stochastic wave fields are represented in terms of the Wiener-Hermite functionals, and the approximate solutions of the Wiener kernels are obtained for both TM- and TE-polarized components, from which the Stokes matrix elements can be determined. The dressed or perturbed plasmon mode in the presence of surface roughness is obtained by a mass operator involved in the solutions, and the enhanced backscattering closely related to the plasmon mode is studied in connection with the enhanced peak width and the mass operator for the dressed plasmon mode. The Stokes parameters and the degree of polarization are calculated numerically from various polarized components of the incoherent scattering distribution. To clarify the surface plasmon's association with the scattering characteristics, calculations are made for two kinds of random surfaces, a random surface with a centred Gaussian spectrum and a random grating with twin spectral peaks at the plasmon spatial frequency.     

Bistatic scattering and depolarization by randomly rough surfaces: application to the natural rough surfaces in X-band

The scattering of waves by random rough surfaces has important applications in the remote sensing of oceans and land. The problem of developing a model for rough surfaces is very difficult since, at best, the scattering coefficient σ⁰ is dependent upon (at least) the radar frequency, geometrical and physical parameters, incident and observation angles, and polarization. The problem of electromagnetic scattering from a randomly rough surface is analysed using the Kirchhoff approximation (stationary phase, scalar approximation), the small-perturbation model and the two-scale models. A first major new consideration in this paper is the polarimetric signature calculations as a function of the transmitter location and receiver location for a bistatic radio-link. We calculate the like- and cross-polarized received power directly using the scattering coefficients, without calculating the Mueller matrix. Next, a study of the regions of validity of the Kirchhoff and small-perturbation rough surface scattering models (in the bistatic case) is presented. Comparisons between the numerical calculations and the models are made for various surface rms heights and correlation lengths both normalized to the incident wavenumber (denoted by σ and L, respectively). By using these two parameters to form a two-dimensional space, the approximate regions of validity are then established. The second major new consideration is the development of a theoretical two-scale model describing bistatic reflectivity as well as the numerical results computed for the bistatic radar cross section from rough surfaces especially from the sea and snow-covered surfaces. The results are used to show the Brewster angle effect on near-grazing angle scattering.     

Far-field intensity of electromagnetic waves scattered from random,self-affine fractal metal surfaces

Abstract

By means of the rigorous Green theorem integral equation formulation, we study the far-field intensity of linearly polarized, monochromatic electromagnetic waves scattered from a one-dimensionally rough silver surface characterized by a self-affine fractal structure. These surface fractal properties are ensured for the entire range of relevant length scales, from the illuminated spot size down to a sufficiently small (in terms of the wavelength) lower cut-off length. A peak in the specular direction is found in the angular distribution of the diffuse component of the mean scattered intensity, which becomes broader and smaller with increasing fractal dimension. For large fractal dimensions, enhanced backscattering in the case of p-polarization is observed owing to the roughness-induced excitation of surface plasmon polaritons. The interplay of different length scales of the fractal surface in the scattering process is analysed for an intermediate fractal dimension.     

Transmission scatter cross sections across two-dimensional random rough surfaces – full wave solutions and comparison with numerical results

Abstract

In this paper, the full wave expressions for the bistatic transmission scattering cross sections across two-dimensional random rough surfaces are obtained. The full wave analysis accounts for the surface height/slope correlations. Analytical and numerical comparisons of the full wave solutions with the small perturbation and physical optics solutions are made for isotropic random rough surfaces. The full wave results are also compared with the numerical results based on Monte Carlo simulations of one-dimensional random rough surfaces. Detailed consideration is given to illustrating the relationship between these full wave solutions and the original full wave solutions including the impact of accounting for the height/slope correlations in this analysis.     

Polarization characteristics of an electromagnetic wave scattered from a slightly random surface: +45° polarized incidence

Abstract

The present paper deals with the scattering of an obliquely polarized electromagnetic (EM) wave from a slightly rough surface, which is assumed to be a two-dimensional (2D), homogeneous and isotropic Gaussian random field. In contrast to the cases of TE(s) and TM(p) polarized incidence, the scattering profile for an obliquely polarized incidence is not symmetric with respect to the incident plane, despite the fact that the random surface is statistically isotropic.     

Scattering of a scalar wave from a two-dimensional randomly rough Neumann surface

Abstract

We present a reciprocity and unitarity preserving formulation of the scattering of a scalar plane wave from a two-dimensional, randomly rough surface on which the Neumann boundary condition is satisfied. The theory is formulated on the basis of the Rayleigh hypothesis in terms of a single-particle Green's function G(q_‖|k_‖) for the surface electromagnetic waves that exist at the surface due to its roughness, where k_‖ and q_‖ are the projections on the mean scattering plane of the wave vectors of the incident and scattered waves, respectively. The specular scattering is expressed in terms of the average of this Green's function over the ensemble of realizations of the surface profile function (G(q_‖|k_‖)). The Dyson equation satisfied by (G(q_‖|k_‖)) is presented, and the properties of the solution are discussed, with particular attention to the proper self-energy in terms of which the averaged Green's function is expressed. The diffuse scattering is expressed in terms of the ensemble average of a two-particle Green's function, which is the product of two single-particle Green's functions. The Bethe-Salpeter equation satisfied by the averaged two-particle Green's function is presented, and properties of its solution are discussed. In the small roughness limit, and with the irreducible vertex function approximated by the sum of the contribution from the maximally-crossed diagrams, which represent the coherent interference between all time-reversed scattering sequences, the solution of the Bethe-Salpeter equation predicts the presence of enhanced backscattering in the angular dependence of the intensity of the waves scattered diffusely.     

Extension of the local curvature approximation to third order and improved tilt invariance

The second-order local curvature approximation (LCA2) is a theory of rough surface scattering that reproduces fundamental low and high frequency limits in a tilted frame of reference. Although the existing LCA2 model provides agreement with the first order small perturbation method up to the first order in surface tilt, results reported in this paper produce a new formulation of the model that achieves consistency with perturbation theory to first order in surface height and arbitrary order in surface tilt. In addition, extension of the modified LCA to third order is presented, and allows the theory to match the second-order small perturbation method to arbitrary order in surface tilt. Crucial to the development of the theory are a set of identities involving relationships among the small perturbation method (i.e. low frequency) and Kirchhoff approximation (i.e. high frequency) kernels; a set of new identities obtained in our derivations is also presented. Sample results involving 3D electromagnetic scattering from penetrable rough surfaces, as well as 2D scattering from Dirichlet sinusoidal gratings, are provided to compare the new results with the existing LCA2 model and with other rough surface scattering theories.     

Multiple scatter of vector electromagnetic waves from rough metal surfaces with infinite slopes using the Kirchhoff approximation

This paper presents calculations of a new formulation of the three‐dimensional Kirchhoff approximation which allows calculation of the scattering of vector waves from two-dimensional (2D) metal and dielectric rough surfaces containing infinite slopes. Results are presented for scattering from metal surfaces with rectangular surface structures. This type of surface has applications, for example, in remote sensing and in testing or imaging of printed circuits. Some calculations for rectangular-shaped grooves in a plane are presented for the 2D surface method and are compared to previously published results using a different method of calculation. Good agreement is found between the results for the different calculation methods.     

Numerical simulation methods for rough surface scattering

Numerical methods are of great importance in the study of electromagnetic scattering from random rough surfaces. This review provides an overview of rough surface scattering and application areas of current interest, and surveys research in numerical simulation methods for both one- and two-dimensional surfaces. Approaches considered include numerical methods based on analytical scattering approximations, differential equation methods and surface integral equation methods. Emphasis is placed on recent advances such as rapidly converging iterative solvers for rough surface problems and fast methods for increasing the computational efficiency of integral equation solvers.     

Radar scatter cross sections for two-dimensional random rough surfaces – full wave solutions and comparisons with experiments

Abstract

In this paper, the full wave expressions for the radar scattering cross sections for two-dimensional random rough surfaces are obtained. The rough-surface height/slope correlations are accounted for in this analysis. Analytical and numerical comparisons of the full wave solution with the small perturbation and physical optics solutions are made for isotropic, homogeneous random rough surfaces with Gaussian probability density function. The full wave results are also compared with experimental results.     

Scattering of an electromagnetic wave from a slightly random cylindrical surface: horizontal polarization

Abstract

The scattering of an electromagnetic wave from a random cylindrical surface ir studied for a plane-wave incidence with S-(TE) polarization, by means ofthe stochastic scattering theory developed by Nakayama, Ogura. Sakati et al. The theory is based on the Wiener-Ito stochastic functional calculus combined with the group-theoretic consideration concerning the homogeneity of the random surface. The random surface is assumed to be a homogeneous Gaussian random field on the cylinder C, homogeneous with respect to the group of motiolrs on C: translations along the axis and rotations around the axis. An operator D operating on a random field on C is introduced in such a way that D keeps the homogeneous random surface invariant This gives a reprerentation of the cylbdrical group and commutes with the boundary condition and the Maxwell equation. Thus, for an injection of the mth cylindrical TE or TM wave, which is a vector eigenfunction of the D operator, the scattered random wave field is an eigenfunctiou with the same eigenvalue: it satisfies the Maxwell equation and is a stoch-tic Iunctional of the Gaussian random surface, BO that it can be expressed in a vector form of the Wiener-Ito expansion in t e m of TE and TM waves and orthogonal functional. of the Gaussian random measures associated with the random cylindrical surface. In the analysis the random surface is modelled by an approximate boundaiy condition representing a perfectly conducting cylindrical surface with a slight roughness. The boundary condition on the random cylinder is transformed into a hierarchy of equations for the Wiener kernels which can be solved approximately. The random wave field for a plane-wave injection is obtained by summing these fields over m. From the stochastic representation of the electromagnetic field so obtained, various statistical characteristics can be calculated the coherent scattering amplitude. total coherent power flow, incoherent power flow, differential sections for coherent rcatlerhig and incoherent scattering, etc. The power conservation law is cast into a stochastic electromagnetic version of the optical theorem stating that the total scatteiing cross section is given by the imaginary part of the forward coherent scattering amplitude. Numerical calculations are made for a planewave injection with S-(TE) polarization. The case of p-(TM) polarization can be treated in a similar manner.     

Surface roughness measurements from coherent light scattering

Results are presented of surface roughness measurements obtained by applying Beckmann's theory on the scattering of electromagnetic waves from rough surfaces to the scattering of laser light from ground glass surfaces. Measurements of the variance of surface height obtained in several scattering geometries and also from stylus measurements are presented and shown to agree closely for each surface. Also results are presented which show that the usual assumption of a Gaussian form for the autocorrelation function of surface height does not apply to the surfaces being studied here.