SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “diffraction theory”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1993

A UGO/EUTD Solution for the Scattering and Diffraction from Cubic Polynomial Strips

A uniform geometrical optics (UGO) and an extended uniform geometrical theory of diffraction (EUTD) solution is developed for the scattering and diffraction from perfectly conducting cubic polynomial strips. The new solution overcomes the difficulties of the classic GO/UTD solution near caustics and composite shadow boundaries. The approach for constructing the UGO/EUTD solution is based on a spatial domain physical optics (PO) radiation integral representation for the scattered field which is then reduced using a uniform asymptotic procedure. New uniform reflection, zero-curvature diffraction, and edge diffraction coefficients are derived and involve the ordinary and incomplete Airy integrals as canonical functions. Higher order effects such as double edge diffraction, edge-excited creeping waves, and whispering gallery modes are not examined in this work. The UGO/EUTD solution is very efficient and provides useful physical insight into the various scattering and diffraction processes. It is also universal in nature and can be used to effectively describe the scattered fields from flat, strictly concave or convex, and concave-convex boundaries containing edges. Its accuracy is confirmed via comparison with some reference moment method (MM) results.

Constantinides, Evagoras D.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Higher order diffractions from a circular disk

The backscattering from a circular disk is analyzed using the geometrical theory of diffraction. First-, second-, and third-order diffractions are included in the hard polarization analysis, while first-, second-, and third-order slope diffractions are included for soft polarization. Improvements in the prediction of the monostatic radar cross section over previous works are noted. For hard polarization, an excellent agreement is exhibited between experimental and theoretical results, while a very good agreement is noted for soft polarization. To further improve the soft polarization results for wide angles, a model for the creeping wave or circulating current on the edge of the disk is obtained and used to find an additional component of the backscattered field. The addition of this component significantly improves the results for wide angles, leading to excellent agreement for soft polarization also. An axial-caustic correction method using equivalent currents is also included in the analysis.

Marsland, Diane P.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Diffraction by a perfectly conducting rectangular cylinder which is illuminated by an array of line sources

The geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD) is employed to analyze the radiation from a perfectly-conducting rectangular cylinder illuminated by an array of line sources. The excitation of the cylinder by a single electric or magnetic current line source is considered first, and a solution which includes contributions from the geometrical optics rays and all singly- and doubly-diffracted rays is obtained. A new diffraction coefficient valid in the transition regions of the shadow and reflection boundaries is employed to obtain a continuous total field, except for negligible discontinuities in the doubly-diffracted field at its shadow boundaries. Patterns calculated by the GTD method are found to be in excellent agreement with those calculated from an integral equation formulation. Using superposition the solution for array or aperture excitation of the rectangular cylinder is obtained. A computer program for this solution is included.

Kouyoumjian, R. G.↗

NASA NTRS1993

An in-depth analysis and modelling of the Shuttle to MILA S-band telemetry link

The S-Band radio frequency (RF) link between the Merritt Island (MILA) Tracking Station and the Space Shuttle launch pads is a critical communication path for prelaunch and launch operations. The proposed siting of the Center for Space Education (CSE) at the Visitor Center required a study to avoid RF line-of-sight blockage and reflection paths. The study revealed the trees near MILA's 9-meter (9-M) antennas are obstructing the optical line-of-sight. The studies found diffraction is the main propagation mechanism. This paper describes a link model based on the Geometric Theory of Diffraction.

Caroglanian, Armen↗

NASA NTRS1989

Part A: Nonprincipal-plane scattering from flat plates: Second-order and corner diffractions

Two models of a flat plate for nonprincipal-plane scattering are explored. The first is a revised version of the Physical Optics/Physical Theory of Diffraction (PO/PTD) model with second-order PTD equivalent currents included to account for second-order interactions among the plate edges. The second model uses a heurisitcally derived corner diffraction coefficient to account for the corner scattering mechanism. The patterns obtained using the newer models were compared to the data of previously reported models, the Moment Method (MM), and experimental results. Near normal incidence, all the models agreed; however, near grazing incidence a need for higher-order and corner diffraction mechanisms was noted. In many instances the second-order and corner-scattered fields which were formulated improved the results.

Balanis, Constantine A.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Broad-band flared horn with low sidelobes

A circular horn antenna flared like a trumpet is analyzed with the geometrical theory of diffraction and then tested experimentally. Sidelobes are found to be extremely low (-75 dB), in agreement with theory. Low sidelobe performance is predicted to be broad-band and to improve at higher frequencies. The full aperture of the tested horn is approximately 50 wavelengths. Suggestions for even better low sidelobe antennas are made. The applicability of this horn to the measurement of cosmic background radiation is noted.

Mather, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Mutual coupling between circular apertures on an infinite conducting ground plane and radiating into a finite width slab

The problem of electromagnetic coupling between two horns is of interest for the Microwave Reflectometer Ionization Sensor (MRIS) that will be used in the Aeroassist Flight Experiment (AFE). Laboratory measurements of mutual coupling between conical horns (using a flat metallic reflector to simulate a critically dense plasma outside) have shown a strong dependence on the finite dimensions of the shuttle tile over the apertures. Since both, the dielectric tile and the plasma outside the tile reflect microwaves, a study should be done to isolate the two mechanisms so that the MRIS reentry flight data can be interpreted correctly. Once the coupling due to the tile itself is determined then the location of the critial electron number density layers can be determined. As a first attempt to tackle this problem the Geometrical Theory of Diffraction was used to modify the existing solution to mutual coupling between apertures with infinite dielectric sheets. By using the equivalent current method, aperture theory to determine the radiated fields inside the dielectric tiles, and ray tracing the contributions to mutual coupling were determined. Results from two cases with different tile thicknesses have indicated that the main contribution to mutual coupling is due to diffraction from the bottom and top (back and front) wedges.

Christodoulou, Christos↗

NASA NTRS1993

Investigation Of Far-Field Diffraction

Report describes experimental investigation of far-field diffracton by normally illuminated circular apertures with diameters of several wavelengths of incident light. Purpose of investigation to determine whether Keller's "geometrical" theory of diffraction valid for diffraction phenomena of this kind.

Wang, Yaujen↗

NASA NTRS1992

High-frequency techniques for RCS prediction of plate geometries

Given here are hard polarization diffraction coefficients for the special case of a wedge that is coated with a lossy dielectric on one face and is perfectly conducting on the other face. Expressions for plane-wave incidence, far-field observation; for cylindrical-wave incidence, far-field observation; and for plane-wave incidence, near-field observation are presented for regular diffractions. In addition, terms for surface-wave and surface-wave transition fields are presented. These expressions are derived from the Uniform Theory of Diffraction (UTD) coefficients for a generalized impedance wedge and are simplified for rapid calculation for the case of one perfectly conducting face. Results from a first-order model for a coated, rectangular plate are examined; and potential problems in extending this modeling approach to more complicated coated structures are identified.

Balanis, Constantine A.↗

NASA NTRS1989

A study of three techniques used in the diffraction analysis of shaped dual-reflector antennas

An examination is presented of three techniques used for the efficient computation of fields diffracted by a subreflector that has been shaped by geometrical optics synthesis. It is found that these techniques, which are based on the geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD), produce errors in the computed fields that are specific to shaped reflectors. These errors are examined for a reflector system shaped to produce maximum gain from a tapered feed illumination. The discrepancies are directly related to the caustic being located near an observation point of the GTD calculations. The errors found are localized, and they increase in magnitude as the caustic approaches the main reflector. In a general offset geometry, the location of the caustic may be located arbitrarily close to the main reflector given a prescribed output aperture distribution. For the specific case considered here-the common situation of shaping to produce maximum gain-the caustic is located near the edge of the main reflector and on the reflection shadow boundary. A local correction is derived which creates a uniform solution through the caustic and across the reflection shadow boundary. Away from this point the calculation receeds to the standard GTD solution.

Cwik, Tom A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

High frequency scattering by a thin lossless dielectric slab

A high frequency solution for scattering from a thin dielectric slab is developed, based on a modification of the uniform geometrical theory of diffraction solution for a half-plane, with the intention of developing a model for a windshield of a small private aircraft. Results of the theory are compared with experimental measurements and moment method calculations showing good agreement. Application of the solution is also addressed.

Burnside, W. D.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Edge diffracted caustic fields

The fields near a caustic created by an edge diffraction process are computed using the equivalent current concept. These fields are shown to have the property commonly associated with ray optical analysis or the Geometrical Theory of Diffraction (GTD), e.g., a 90 deg phase shift as the ray passes through the caustic. The present effort is directed toward consideration of the caustic created by an edge diffraction process. Particular attention is focused on electromagnetic excitation. The acoustic excitation for the hard boundary condition is outlined in an appendix. In addition, goal is to establish the extent of the caustic region. This is of particular importance when a ray optical solution involves multiply-diffracted terms in that the minimum size of the body that can be analyzed may be restricted by the extent of the caustic, i.e., the 90 deg phase shift used in ray optical analysis may be introduced only if the caustic is contained on the surface being studied.

Burnside, W. D.↗

NASA NTRS1979

High frequency scattering from a thin lossless dielectric slab

A solution for scattering from a thin dielectric slab is developed based on geometrical optics and the geometrical theory of diffraction with the intention of developing a model for a windshield of a small private aircraft for incorporation in an aircraft antenna code. Results of the theory are compared with experimental measurements and moment method calculations showing good agreement. Application of the solution is also addressed.

Burgener, K. W.↗

NASA NTRS1983

The finite ground plane effect on the microstrip antenna radiation patterns

The uniform geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD) is employed for calculating the edge diffracted fields from the finite ground plane of a microstrip antenna. The source field from the radiating patch is calculated by two different methods: the slot theory and the modal expansion theory. Many numerical and measured results are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the calculations and the finite ground plane edge effect.

Huang, J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Diffraction as tunneling

A new approximation to the short-wavelength scattering amplitude from an impenetrable sphere is presented. It is uniform in the scattering angle and it is more accurate than previously known approximations (including Fock's theory of diffraction) by up to several orders of magnitude. It remains valid in the transition to long-wavelength scattering. It leads to a new physical picture of diffraction, as tunneling through an inertial barrier.

Nussenzveig, H. M.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Calculation of arbitrary-order diffraction efficiencies of thick gratings with arbitrary grating shape

A method for calculating arbitrary-order diffraction efficiencies of thick, lossless transmission gratings with arbitrary periodic grating shapes has been developed. A Fourier-series representation of the grating is employed, along with a coupled-mode theory of diffraction. For illustration, numerical values of the diffraction efficiencies at the first three Bragg angles are calculated for sinusoidal, square-wave, triangular, and saw-tooth gratings. Numerical results for the same grating shapes with the same parameters are also calculated for comparison, by extending Burckhardt's numerical method for analyzing thick sinusoidal gratings. The comparison shows that the coupled-mode theory provides results with relative computational ease and results that are in agreement with calculations obtained by extending the more-rigorous Burckhardt theory to nonsinusoidal grating shapes and to higher-order Bragg angles.

Su, S. F.↗

NASA NTRS1991

High-frequency techniques for RCS prediction of plate geometries

Radar cross section (RCS) prediction of several rectangular plate geometries is discussed using high-frequency techniques such as the Uniform Theory of Diffraction (UTD) for perfectly conducting and impedance wedges and the Method of Equivalent Currents (MEC). Previous reports have presented detailed solutions to the principal-plane scattering by a perfectly conducting and a coated rectangular plate and nonprincipal-plane scattering by a perfectly conducting plate. These solutions are briefly reviewed and a modified model is presented for the coated plate. Theoretical and experimental data are presented for the perfectly conducting geometries. Agreement between theory and experiment is very good near and at normal incidence. In regions near and at grazing incidence, the disagreement between the data vary according to diffraction distances and angles involved. It is these areas of disagreement which are of extreme interest as an explanation for the disagreement will yield invaluable insight into scattering mechanisms which are not yet identified as major contributors near and at grazing incidence. Areas of disagreement between theory and experiment are identified and examined in an attempt to better understand and predict near-grazing incidence, grazing incidence, and nonprincipal-plane diffractions.

Balanis, Constantine A.↗

NASA NTRS1982

An application of the Braunbeck method to the Maggi-Rubinowicz field representation

The Braunbek method is applied to the generalized vector potential associated with the Maggi-rubinowicz representation. Under certain approximations, an asymptotic evaluation of the vector potential is obtained. For observation points away from caustics or shadow boundaries, the field derived from this quantity is the same as that determined from the geometrical theory of diffraction on a singly diffracted edge ray. An evaluation of the field for the simple case of a plane wave normally incident on a circular aperture is presented showing that the field predicted by the Maggi-Rubinowicz theory is continuous across the shadow boundary.

Meneghini, R.↗