Physical optics solution for the scattering of a partially coherent wave from a circular cylinder

The physical optics solution for the scattering of a partially coherent wave from a circular cylinder is presented. The derivations of the far-zone scattered fields are presented and discussed. Scattering width relations are developed from the physical optics fields that are functions of the coherence of the incident field. The scattering width relations are evaluated asymptotically to show the behavior of the backscattered and forward scattered energy in the incoherent- and coherent-field limits. Results are presented comparing and contrasting the physical optics results to those obtained using a previously published exact series solution approach. A physical discussion of the results is included.