Theory of Diffraction by a Curved Inhomogeneous Body

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Abstract
The diffraction of electromagnetic waves by a convex spherical surface is considered. The problem is formulated in terms of the mutual impedance between two radially oriented electric dipoles for a smooth inhomogeneous surface. The general integral equation is simplified when the surface is sectionally homogeneous. In this case, the result is given as a twofold integral which involves the product of pattern functions associated with a homogeneous spherical surface. The reduction of these pattern functions to manageable form is one of the major objectives of the paper. The final result shows explicitly how the classical Fresnel diffraction pattern is modified by the radius of curvature and the properties of the diffracting surface. The special case where the diffracting surface is perfectly conducting except for a small inhomogeneity near the crest reduces to a very simple formula if the grazing angle is zero. It is shown that this result is compatible with the perturbation theory for scattering from an impedance strip on a conducting plane.

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