Enhanced backscattering: the universal wave phenomenon

• Published in: Proceedings of the IEEE Vol. 79; no. 10; pp. 1367 - 1370
• Main Authors: Barabanenkov, Yu.N., Kravtsov, Yu.A., Ozrin, V.D., Saichev, A.I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01-10-1991; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Subjects: Acoustic propagation; Acoustic scattering; Acoustic waves; Applied sciences; Backscatter; Chaos; Coherence; Diffraction, scattering, reflection; Electromagnetic propagation; Electromagnetic scattering; Electromagnetic waveguides; Exact sciences and technology; Radiocommunications; Radiowave propagation; Surface waves; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; Diffusion channel; Wave propagation; Heterogeneous medium; Acoustic wave; Backscattering; Interference; Theoretical study; Electromagnetic field
• ISSN: 0018-9219; 1558-2256
• DOI: 10.1109/5.104211

Backscattering enhancement is discussed as a universal wave phenomenon inherent to waves of whatever physical nature: electromagnetic, acoustic, spin, etc. This phenomenon arises due to multichannel wave propagation from a source to a scatterer and back and may be observed in the vicinity of the source because of mutual coherence of waves passing in opposite directions along identical (coherent) channels. Backscattering enhancement may be revealed when the wave field is scattered: by a system of chaotically distributed scatterers or by a system of inhomogeneities; by a body embedded in a turbulent medium; by a single body placed near an interface or within a waveguide (randomness of body position is assumed); by a body of complex form or a system of several scatterers randomly oriented in space; by a rough surface; and by many other physical systems. Possible practical applications of these effects are analyzed.< >