Non-local small-slope approximation for wave scattering from rough surfaces

A new general analytical approach to solving the problems of wave scattering from rough surfaces, referred to as the non-local small-slope approximation (NLSSA), is suggested. It is formulated in the general form both for vector and scalar waves. This approach is valid for an arbitrary wavelength of radiation provided that the slopes of the undulations are small enough. The NLSSA represents a generalization of the small-slope approximation to situations where double scattering (in the optical sense) appears. It is demonstrated that with appropriate approximations the NLSSA of the lowest order reduces to the small-slope approximation of the second order.