A reciprocal phase-perturbation theory for rough-surface scattering

We study the scattering of a scalar plane wave from a two-dimensional, randomly rough surface, on which the Dirichlet boundary condition is satisfied. The scattering amplitude is obtained in the form of the Fourier transform of an exponential, in which the exponent is written as an expansion in powers of the surface profile function. It is shown that the latter expansion can be written in such a way that the corresponding scattering matrix is manifestly reciprocal. Numerical results for the reflectivity, and for the contribution to the mean differential reflection coefficient from the incoherent component of the scattered field, are obtained and compared with the predictions of small-amplitude perturbation theory and the Kirchhoff approximation. As the wavelength of the incident wave is varied continuously the results of the phase-perturbation theory change continuously from those of the small-amplitude perturbation theory to those of the Kirchhoff approximation.     

Tilt-invariant theory of rough-surface scattering: I

The small-slope approximation (SSA) in rough-surface scattering theory uses the surface slope as a small parameter of expansion. But, from the physical point of view, the slope may not be a restrictive parameter because we can change the slope of a surface simply by tilting the coordinate system. We present the theory of rough-surface scattering in a coordinate-invariant form. The new method, tilt-invariant approximation (TIA), leads to a different expansion that does not require that the slope of a surface be small. For a small Rayleigh parameter this approximate solution provides the correct perturbation theory, for a large Rayleigh parameter it provides the Kirchhoff approximation with several correcting terms.     

Tilt-invariant theory of rough-surface scattering: I

Abstract

The small-slope approximation (SSA) in rough-surface scattering theory uses the surface slope as a small parameter of expansion. But, from the physical point of view, the slope may not be a restrictive parameter because we can change the slope of a surface simply by tilting the coordinate system. We present the theory of rough-surface scattering in a coordinate-invariant form. The new method, tilt-invariant approximation (TIA), leads to a different expansion that does not require that the slope of a surface be small. For a small Rayleigh parameter this approximate solution provides the correct perturbation theory, for a large Rayleigh parameter it provides the Kirchhoff approximation with several correcting terms.     

Synthetic spectra from rough-surface scattering

We present a method for designing a one-dimensional, deterministic, perfectly conducting rough surface that scatters light at a fixed scattering angle with an intensity whose dependence on the frequency of a plane wave incident normally upon it reproduces the infrared spectrum of a known substance within a specified region of frequencies. Such a surface can therefore be used in a correlation spectrometer for the identification of unknown substances.     

The IEM2M rough-surface scattering model for complex-permittivity scattering media

The integral equation model (IEM) was developed in the late 1980s and arguably became the most cited and implemented rough-surface scattering model in the field of radar remote sensing for Earth observation. It was derived by applying a second-order iteration in the incident electromagnetic field to the integral equations of the surface fields as given by Poggio and Miller. It is thus an extension of the first-order, Born approximation of these equations that produce the classical Kirchhoff approximation. The IEM has been subject to numerous amendments and variations over the last 20 years due to the imperfect introduction and handling of the Weyl representation of the spherical wave in its first version. The work presented here is a further development of the contribution made by the same author in 2001 (IEM2M), which was the first version of IEM able to blend analytically both the Kirchhoff and the small-perturbation approximations for the bistatic case. The improvement reported in this article is concerned with the inclusion of evanescent waves in the formulation of the model and the extension of the range of applicability of the second-order scattering terms to interfaces with complex-permittivity scattering media.     

Convergence of solutions to the rough-surface scattering problem

Abstract

A new formulation of the rough-surface scattering problem is obtained that is closely linked to the Kirchhoff approximation. The governing equation is cast into a form amenable to solution by the method of successive approximations. The domain of convergence of this solution is established and is shown to apply also to the odd-ordered operator expansion, small-slope approximation and perturbation theory provided that the slope of the scattering surface is everywhere less than unity. The analysis is performed for scattering from one-dimensional pressure-release surfaces. Numerical examples are presented for sinusoidal and echelette gratings.     

An iterative solution of the rough-surface scattering problem

Abstract

An iterative solution to the problem of scattering from a one-dimensional rough surface is obtained for the Dirichlet boundary condition. The advantages of this method are that bounds for convergence of the solution can be established and that the solution may readily be iterated to sufficiently high order in the interaction to examine the rate at which it converges. Absolute convergence of the iterative solution is also a sufficient condition for the convergence of the operator expansion method for surfaces on which the slope is everywhere less than unity. A numerical example of scattering from an echelette grating is considered, and bounds for convergence established. It is found that for scattering from such surfaces the rate at which the iterative solution converges decreases as the surface slope is increased. Corresponding results are found for the operator expansion method.     

Convergence of solutions to the rough-surface scattering problem

A new formulation of the rough-surface scattering problem is obtained that is closely linked to the Kirchhoff approximation. The governing equation is cast into a form amenable to solution by the method of successive approximations. The domain of convergence of this solution is established and is shown to apply also to the odd-ordered operator expansion, small-slope approximation and perturbation theory provided that the slope of the scattering surface is everywhere less than unity. The analysis is performed for scattering from one-dimensional pressure-release surfaces. Numerical examples are presented for sinusoidal and echelette gratings.     

Formulation of rough-surface scattering theory in terms of phase factors and approximate solutions based on this formulation

Abstract

This paper presents the formulation of rough-surface scattering theory in which the bounded phase shift factors, ζ(r, α) ζ exp[iαζ(r)], replace the elevation, ζ(r). Both the Dirichlet and the Neumann problems are considered. The integral equations for secondary surface sources are obtained that contain only this phase function in their kernels.

The Neumann (iterative) series for the solutions of the integral equations thus derived are functional Taylor series in powers of L(r, α), not in powers of ζ. If we expand L(r, α) in these series in powers of ζ(r), we obtain the standard perturbation theory series. Thus, the new formulation corresponds to the partial summation of the perturbation series.

Using the Neumann series, we obtain several uniform (with respect to αζ) approximate solutions that contain, as limiting cases, Bragg scattering, the Kirchhoff approximation, and most known advanced approximations.

In the case of random surface z = ζ(r), these new expansions contain the function ζ(r) only in the exponents, and, therefore, the result of averaging can be expressed only in terms of the characteristic functions of the multivariate probability distribution of elevations.     

The factorization method in a rough-surface scattering problem: I

In the present paper the wave scattering problem on rough surface is considered for the Helmholtz equation with the Dirichlet boundary condition. An approximate solution is derived with using a factorization approach to the original Helmholtz equation. As a result, the system of two equations of parabolic type appears. The first system equation has an exact analytical solution whereas for the second one, an approximate solution, is considered in terms of perturbation series. It is shown that the obtained approximate solution is the modified classical small perturbation series with respect to small Rayleigh parameter. In Appendix A it is demonstrated that, when the derived perturbation series is converged, it is possible to summarize it and to represent the exact solution of original boundary problem in an analytical symbolical form.     

The factorization method in a rough-surface scattering problem: I

In the present paper the wave scattering problem on rough surface is considered for the Helmholtz equation with the Dirichlet boundary condition. An approximate solution is derived with using a factorization approach to the original Helmholtz equation. As a result, the system of two equations of parabolic type appears. The first system equation has an exact analytical solution whereas for the second one, an approximate solution, is considered in terms of perturbation series. It is shown that the obtained approximate solution is the modified classical small perturbation series with respect to small Rayleigh parameter. In Appendix A it is demonstrated that, when the derived perturbation series is converged, it is possible to summarize it and to represent the exact solution of original boundary problem in an analytical symbolical form.     

A Democritean phenomenology for quantum scattering theory

The basic operational devices in a particle theory are detectors which show that a particle is here, now rather than there, then. Successful operation of these devices requires a limiting velocity. Given auxiliary devices which can change particle velocities in both magnitude and direction, the Lorentz-invariant mass can be defined. The wave-particle duality operationally required to explain the scattering of particles from a diffraction grating then predicts fluctuations in particle number (the Wick-Yukawa mechanism), if we postulate a smallest mass. We show that this suffices to establish the conventional quantum mechanical scattering formalism without postulating either interactions or analyticity. By introducing the phase change due to external electromagnetic fields, we can describe the auxiliary devices assumed above to an accuracy ofe ²/hc, thus completing the operational definition to that accuracy.     

A field theory model for fixed angle proton-proton scattering

It is argued that the sum of the leading terms to each order in the coupling constant in massive Q.E.D. at fixed angle leads to the elastic cross-section dσ/dt = A(θ)s^?2exp (a ln²s + b(θ)lns). This gives good agreement with the data for wide angle proton-proton scattering.     

A simplified asymptotic theory for ocean surface electromagnetic wave scattering

The normalized radar cross-section (NRCS) expression of the Local Curvature Approximation (LCA-1) is derived to first order. The polarization sensitivity of this model is compared to the Kirchhoff Approximation (KA), Two-Scale Model (TSM), Small Slope Approximation (SSA-1) and Small Perturbation Method (SPM-1) to first order in the backscattering configuration. Analytical comparisons and numerical simulations show that LCA-1 and TSM could be rewritten with the same formulation and that their polarization sensitivities are comparable. Comparisons with experimental data acquired in C- and Ku-band reveal that the polarization sensitivities of these models are not adequate. However, the NRCS azimuth modulation predicted by LCA-1 is found to be dependent on polarization and sea surface roughness. This property of the LCA-1 model yields to an azimuth modulation for the polarization ratio. Based on the surface curvature correction concept, a simplified electromagnetic model is proposed. The curvature correction is restricted to the resonant wave-number of the sea roughness spectrum. This is found to reproduce the polarization ratio given by experimental data versus incidence angle and wind speed.     

A simplified asymptotic theory for ocean surface electromagnetic wave scattering

The normalized radar cross-section (NRCS) expression of the Local Curvature Approximation (LCA-1) is derived to first order. The polarization sensitivity of this model is compared to the Kirchhoff Approximation (KA), Two-Scale Model (TSM), Small Slope Approximation (SSA-1) and Small Perturbation Method (SPM-1) to first order in the backscattering configuration. Analytical comparisons and numerical simulations show that LCA-1 and TSM could be rewritten with the same formulation and that their polarization sensitivities are comparable. Comparisons with experimental data acquired in C- and Ku-band reveal that the polarization sensitivities of these models are not adequate. However, the NRCS azimuth modulation predicted by LCA-1 is found to be dependent on polarization and sea surface roughness. This property of the LCA-1 model yields to an azimuth modulation for the polarization ratio. Based on the surface curvature correction concept, a simplified electromagnetic model is proposed. The curvature correction is restricted to the resonant wave-number of the sea roughness spectrum. This is found to reproduce the polarization ratio given by experimental data versus incidence angle and wind speed.