Abstract

Boss models constitute an interesting method for studying the scattering of light by random rough surfaces. Different methods have been applied for studying the scattering of light by embossed surfaces for simple geometrical shapes (hemispheres, hemicylinders). More recently, theoretical treatments based on Maxwell's equations and image theory have been applied to surfaces constituted by spheres or cylinders on a flat substrate. The purpose of the present work is to analyze the scattering of light by a surface constituted by a conducting cylinder on a conducting flat substrate by means of the extinction theorem (ET). The analysis has been performed for different values of the ratio D/λ. (the cylinder diameter to the incident wavelength) ranging from 0.1 to 5 and for p and s polarizations (only one dimensional surfaces have been considered) under the approximation of perfect conductor. The current distribution on the surface, shadowing, and cavity effects that occur between the cylinder and the substrate because of multiple scattering have also been analyzed. Since the application of the ET requires scattering surfaces of finite length, the aforementioned analysis has been carried out by assuming an incident Gaussian beam to avoid edge effects. The generalization of the study to an embossed surface constituted by several parallel cylinders on the substrate to account exactly for multiple scattering between cylinders is currently being developed.

© 1992 Optical Society of America