Wave Scattering from Statistically Rough Surfaces

Book excerpt: Wave Scattering from Statistically Rough Surfaces discusses the complications in radio physics and hydro-acoustics in relation to wave transmission under settings seen in nature. Some of the topics that are covered include radar and sonar, the effect of variations in topographic relief or ocean waves on the transmission of radio and sound waves, the reproduction of radio waves from the lower layers of the ionosphere, and the oscillations of signals within the earth-ionosphere waveguide. The book begins with some fundamental idea of wave transmission theory and the theory of random processes as used to rough surfaces and to wave fields. This discussion is followed by an analysis of the average fields of sound and electromagnetic waves. A section on spatial correlation characteristics in the approximation of small perturbations is then given. Another chapter of the text explains the Kirchhoff method. The book will provide useful information to physicists, mechanical engineer, students, and researchers in the field of acoustics.