Scattering from a cylindrical reflector: modified theory of physical optics solution

Abstract

The problem of scattering from a perfectly conducting cylindrical reflector is examined with the method of the modified theory of physical optics. In this technique the physical optics currents are modified by using a variable unit vector on the scatterer's surface. These current components are obtained for the reflector, which is fed by an offset electric line source. The scattering integral is expressed by using these currents and evaluated asymptotically with the stationary phase method. The results are compared numerically by using physical optics theory, geometrical optics diffraction theory, and the exact solution of the Helmholtz equation. It is found that the modified theory of physical optics scattering field equations agrees with the geometrical optics diffraction theory and the exact solution of the Helmholtz equation.