Abstract

Weak scattering is usually analyzed by the use of the first-order Born approximation. We show that, when the scattering potential is a zero-mean, real random process, a calculation of the scattered intensity with the first-order Born approximation may give inaccurate results. This is so because, in some instances, the second-order Born approximation makes a contribution which is of the same magnitude, but of opposite sign, that of the first-order Born approximation. We will provide various examples and will discuss the relationship of this result to energy conservation.

© 1990 Optical Society of America