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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Local and non-local curvature approximation: a new asymptotic theory for wave scattering

Abstract

We present a new asymptotic theory for scalar and vector wave scattering from rough surfaces which federates an extended Kirchhoff approximation (EKA), such as the integral equation method (IEM), with the first and second order small slope approximations (SSA). The new development stems from the fact that any improvement of the ‘high frequency’ Kirchhoff or tangent plane approximation (KA) must come through surface curvature and higher order derivatives. Hence, this condition requires that the second order kernel be quadratic in its lowest order with respect to its Fourier variable or formally the gradient operator. A second important constraint which must be met is that both the Kirchhoff approximation (KA) and the first order small perturbation method (SPM-1 or Bragg) be dynamically reached, depending on the surface conditions. We derive herein this new kernel from a formal inclusion of the derivative operator in the difference between the polarization coefficients of KA and SPM-1. This new kernel is as simple as the expressions for both Kirchhoff and SPM-1 coefficients. This formal difference has the same curvature order as SSA-1 + SSA-2. It is acknowledged that even though the second order small perturbation method (SPM-2) is not enforced, as opposed to the SSA, our model should reproduce a reasonable approximation of the SPM-2 function at least up to the curvature or quadratic order. We provide three different versions of this new asymptotic theory under the local, non-local, and weighted curvature approximations. Each of these three models is demonstrated to be tilt invariant through first order in the tilting vector.     

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.     

An iterative method for scattering from rough dielectric or conducting interfaces

Abstract

We introduces an iterative method for scattering a two-dimensional scalar wave from a rough interface between two media. The method is applicable to the case of electromagnetic scattering from a rough metallic or dielectric surface that varies only in one dimension. The first iteration is equivalent to the Kirchhoff approximation, and the series converges in one step for a flat surface. We discuss the conditions for convergence, and find that they are similar to those which Meecham showed to be necessary in the Dirichlet case.     

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.     

Analytical comparison between the surface current integral equation and the second-order small-slope approximation

Abstract

This paper is the third in a series discussing a new approximate bistatic model for electromagnetic scattering from perfectly conducting rough surfaces. Our previous approach supplemented the Kirchhoff model through the addition of new terms involving linear orders in slope and surface elevation differences that arise naturally from a second iteration of the surface current integral equation. This completion of the Kirchhoff was shown to provide the correct first-order small perturbation method (SPM-1) in the general bistatic context. The agreement with SPM-1 was achieved because differences of surface heights are no longer expanded in powers of surface slope. While consistent with SPM, our previous formulation fails to reconverge toward the Kirchhoff model, at some incidence and scattered angles, when the illuminated surface satisfies the high frequency roughness condition. This weakness is also shared with the first-order small slope approximation (SSA-1) which is structurally equivalent to our previous formulation where the polarization is independent of surface roughness. The second-order small slope approximation (SSA-2), which satisfies the SPM-1 and second-order small perturbation method (SPM-2) limits by construction, was shown by Voronovich to converge toward the tangent plane approximation of the Kirchhoff model under high frequency conditions. In the present paper, we show that, in addition to the linear orders in our previous model, one must now include cross-terms between slope and surface elevation to ensure convergence toward both high frequency and small perturbation limits. With the inclusion of these terms, our new formulation becomes comparable to the SSA-2 (second-order kernel) without the need to evaluate all the quadratic order slope and elevations terms. SSA-2 is more complete, however, in the sense that it guarantees convergence toward the second-order Bragg limit (SPM-2) in the fully dielectric case in addition to both SPM-1 and Kirchhoff. Our new generalization is shown to explain correctly extra depolarization in specular conditions to be caused by surface curvature and surface autocorrelation for incoherent and coherent scattering, respectively. This result will have large repercussions on the interpretation of bistatically reflected signals such as those from GPS.     

Gaussian beam scattering from arbitrarily shaped objects with rough surfaces

Abstract

The scattered field of Gaussian beam scattering from arbitrarily shaped dielectric objects with rough surfaces is investigated for optical and infrared frequencies by using the plane wave spectrum method and the Kirchhoff approximation, and the formulae for the coherent and incoherent scattering cross sections are obtained theoretically based on geometrical optics and tangent plane approximations. The infrared laser scattering cross sections of a rough sphere are calculated at 1.06 μm, and the influence of the beam size is analysed numerically. It is shown that when the beam size is much larger than the size of the object, the results in this paper will be close to those of an incident plane wave.     

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.     

Pulse broadening of enhanced backscattering from rough surfaces

Abstract

Recently, we presented a study of pulse scattering by rough surfaces based on the first-order Kirchhoff approximation which is applicable to rough surfaces with RMS slope less than 0.5 and correlation distance l?λ. However, there has been an increased interest in enhanced backscattering from rough surfaces, study of which requires inclusion of the second-order Kirchhoff approximation with shadowing corrections. This paper presents a theory for the two-frequency mutual coherence function in this region and shows that the multiple scattering on the surface gives rise to an additional pulse tail in the direction of enhanced backscattering. The theory predicts pulse broadening approximately 20% greater than that caused by single scattering alone for a delta-function incident pulse and typical surface parameters. Analytical results are compared with Monte Carlo simulations and millimetre-wave experiments for the one-dimensional rough surface with RMS height 1λ and correlation distance 1λ, showing good agreement.     

Two families of non-local scattering models and the weighted curvature approximation

Abstract

There are several nonlocal scattering models available in the literature. Most of them are given with little or no mention of their expected accuracy. Moreover, high- and low-frequency limits are rarely tested. The most important limits are the low-frequency or the small perturbation method (SPM) and the high-frequency Kirchhoff approximation (KA) or the geometric optics (GO). We are interested in providing some insight into two families of non-local scattering models. The first family of models is based on the Meecham–Lysanov ansatz (MLA). This ansatz includes the non-local small slope approximation (NLSSA) by Voronovich and the operator expansion method by Milder (OEM). A quick review of this first family of models is given along with a novel derivation of a series of kernels which extend the existing models to include some more fundamental properties and limits. The second family is derived from formal iterations of geometric optics which we call the ray tracing ansatz (RTA). For this family we consider two possible kernels. The first is obtained from iteration of the high-frequency Kirchhoff approximation, while the second is an iteration of the weighted curvature approximation (WCA). In the latter case we find that most of the required limits and fundamental conditions are fulfilled, including tilt invariance and reciprocity. A study of scattering from Dirichlet sinusoidal gratings is then provided to further illustrate the performance of the models considered.     

Numerical,analytical, and experimental studies of scattering from very rough surfaces and backscattering enhancement

Abstract

This paper Presents numerical simulations, theoretical analysis, and millimeter wave experiments for scattering from one-dimensional very rough surfaces. First, numerical simulations are used to investigate the effects of roughness spectrum, height variation, interface medium, polarization, and incident angle on the backscattering enhancement. The enhanced backscattering due to rough surface scattering is divided into two cases; the RMS height close to a wavelength and RMS slope close to unity, and RMS height much smaller than a wavelength with surface wave contributions. Results also show that the enhancement is sensitive to the roughness spectrum. Next, a theory based on the first- and second-order Kirchhoff approximation modified with angular and propagation shadowing is developed. The theoretical solutions provide a physical explanation of backscattering enhancement and agree well with the numerical results. In addition to the scattering of a monochromatic wave, the analytical results of the broadening and lateral spreading of a pulsed beam wave scattering from rough surfaces are also discussed. Finally, the existence of backscattering enhancement from one-dimensional very rough conducting surfaces with exact Gaussian statistics and Gaussian roughness spectrum is verified by a millimeter-wave experiment. Experimental results which show enhanced backscattering for both TE and TM polarizations for different angles of incidence are presented.     

A reformulation of the one-dimensional surface field integral equations

Abstract

By starting from the matrix forms of the two coupled, inhomogeneous integral equations for the values of the magnetic field and its normal derivative on a one-dimensional, rough metal surface, or for the values of the electric field and its normal derivative on such a surface, we have obtained an equivalent pair of equations for these quantities in which the inhomogeneous terms are just the Kirchhoff approximations to them. The new pair of equations for the surface values of the magnetic field and its normal derivative is solved iteratively to generate a multiple-scattering expansion for the scattering amplitude when p-polarized light is scattered from a large RMS height, large RMS slope, one-dimensional, random silver surface, with the plane of incidence perpendicular to the generators of the surface. It is shown that the Kirchhoff approximation to the contribution to the mean differential reflection coefficient from the incoherent component of the scattered light displays no evidence of enhanced backscattering. However, the pure double-scattering contribution already displays this effect, stamping it as a multiple-scattering phenomenon.     

Parabolic equation formulation via a singular perturbation technique and its application to scattering from irregular surfaces

Abstract

This paper consists of two parts. In the first part, the solution of the Helmholtz equation under forward-scattering or propagation conditions is sought as a uniform asymptotic perturbation expansion using the method of multiple scales. It is then shown that the parabolic wave equation (PWE) solution is the zeroth-order term in this expansion. In the second part, the electric-field integral equation and the magnetic-field integral equation, derived under the PWE approximation, are solved for surface currents induced on a sinusoidal surface. The scattered fields produced by these currents are then calculated using the appropriate radiation integrals. Results are compared to those obtained using the method of ordered multiple interactions developed by Kapp and Brown.     

Bistatic scattering coefficient from one- and two-dimensional random surfaces using the stationary phase and scalar approximation with shadowing effect: comparisons with experiments and application to the sea surface

Abstract

In this paper, the bistatic scattering coefficient from one- and two-dimensional random surfaces using the stationary phase method and scalar approximation with shadowing effect is investigated. Both of these approaches use the Kirchhoff integral. With the stationary phase, the bistatic cross section is formulated in terms of the surface height joint characteristic function where the shadowing effect is investigated. In the case of the scalar approximation, the scattering function is computed from the previous characteristic function and in terms of expected values for the integrations over the slopes, where the shadowing effect is analysed analytically. Both of these formulations are compared with experimental data obtained from a Gaussian one-dimensional randomly rough perfectly-conducting surface. With the stationary-phase method, the results are applied to a two-dimensional sea surface.     

Study on the shadowing effect for optical wave scattering from randomly rough surface

Based on the Kirchhoff approximation for rough surface scattering and by calculating the shadowing function of the rough surface, the formula of the scattering cross section of the dielectric rough surface is presented with consideration of the shadowing effect for the optical wave incidence. It is obtained that in comparison with the conventional Kirchhoff solution, the shadowing effect should not be neglected for the optical wave scattering from the rough surface. The influence of the shadowing effect for different incidence angle, surface root mean square slope, and surface roughness on the scattering cross section is discussed in detail.     

Studies of scattering theory using numerical methods

Abstract

Numerical simulations, using both exact and approximate methods, are used to study rough surface scattering in both the smd and large roughness regimes. This study is limited lo scattcring lrom rough one-dimensional surfaces that obey the Dirichlet boundary condition and have a Gaussian roughness spectrum. For surfdces with small roughness (kh?1, where k is the radiation wavenumber and h is the root-mean-square (RMS) Surface height), perturbation theory is known to be valid. However, it is shown numerically that when kh?1 and kl?6 (where I is the surface correlation length) the Kirchhoffapprorimation is valid except at low grazing angles, and one must sum the first three orders of perturbation theory obtain the correct result. For kh?1 and kl?1, first-order perturbation theory is accurate. In this region, the accuracy of the first two terms of the iterative series solution of the exact integral equation is examined; the first term a1 this series is the Kirchhoff approximation, It is shown numerically that lor very small kh these first two terms reduce to first-order perturbation theory. However, lor this reduction to occur, kh must be made smaller than necessdry lor first-order perturbation theory to be accurate. In the regime of large roughness (kh?1) backscattering enhancement occurs when the RMS slope is on the order of unity. Several investigators have recently shown that the second term of the iterative series solution (the double-scattering term) replicates the properties of backscattering enhancement reasonably well. However, the double-scattering term has a lundamental flaw: predictions lor the scattering cross section per unit length based on the double-scattering term increase as the surfdce length is increased. This is shown here with numerical simulations and with an approximate analytical result based on the high frequency limit. The physical significance of this finding is also discussed. The final topic is the use of the double-scattering approximation to study the mechanism for backscattering enhancement with the Dirichlet boundary condition. This mechanism is usually assumed to be interference between reciprocal scattering paths. When the interlerence between reciprocal scattering paths is removed, the enhancement is eliminated. This shows that interference between reciprocal paths is almost certainly the dominant mechanism for backscattering enhancement in the scattering regime studied.