Diffraction of Light from Randomly Rough Surfaces

Abstract

A combined theoretical and experimental investigation of the scattering of light from randomly rough metallic, dielectric, and perfectly conducting surfaces has been carried out. A major goal of this research program has been an increased understanding of the phenomenon of the enhanced backscattering of light from such surfaces, viz. the narrow peak in the angular distribution of the intensity of the incoherent component of the scattered light in the retroreflection (backscattering) direction. At the same time, a new effect has been predicted and observed in the transmission of light through a thin metal film with random surfaces. This is enhanced transmission, viz. a narrow peak in the angular distribution of the intensity of the incoherent component of the transmitted light in the antispecular direction. Both enhanced backscattering and enhanced transmission are examples of the weak localization of classical (electromagnetic) waves due to their interaction with a random medium.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 16, 1992
Accession Number
ADA250261

Entities

People

  • Alexei A. Maradudin

Organizations

  • University of California, Irvine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Backscattering
  • Computer Simulations
  • Diffraction
  • Elastic Scattering
  • Equations
  • Films
  • Frequency
  • Integral Equations
  • Intensity
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Metal Films
  • Military Research
  • Random Variables
  • Scattering
  • Simulations
  • Solid State Physics
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.