Far field scattering from bodies of revolution

Abstract

By use of approximations based on physical reasoning radar cross-section results for bodies of revolution are found. In the Rayleigh region (wavelength large with respect to object dimensions) approximate solutions are found. Examples given include a finite cone, a lens, an elliptic ogive, a spindle and a finite cylinder. In the physical optics region (wavelength very small with respect to all radii of curvature) Kirchhoff theory and also geometric optics can be used. When the body dimensions are only moderately large with respect to the wavelength, Fock or Franz theory can be applied, and examples of the circular and elliptic cylinder are presented. In the region where some dimensions of the body are large with respect to the wavelength and other dimensions are small with respect to the wavelength, special techniques are used. One example, the finite cone, is solved by appropriate use of the wedgelike fields locally at the base. Another example is the use of traveling wave theory for obtaining approximate solutions for the prolate spheroid and the ogive. Other results are obtained for cones the base perimeter of which is of the order of a wavelength by using known results for rings of the same perimeter.