Electromagnetic scattering from random media

Timothy R. Field0198570775, 9780198570776, 9780191547171

The book develops the dynamical theory of scattering from random media from first principles. Its key findings are to characterize the time evolution of the scattered field in terms of stochastic differential equations, and to illustrate this framework in simulation and experimental data analysis. The physical models contain all correlation information and higher order statistics, which enables radar and laser scattering experiments to be interpreted. An emphasis is placed on the statistical character of the instantaneous fluctuations, as opposed to ensemble average properties. This leads to various means for detection, which have important consequences in radar signal processing and statistical optics. The book is also significant because it illustrates how ideas in mathematical finance can be applied to physics problems in which non-Gaussian noise processes play an essential role. This pioneering book represents a significant advance in this field, and should prove valuable to leading edge researchers and practitioners at the postgraduate level and above.