Abstract

The full angular distributions for scattering of a monochromatic plane wave by a perfectly conducting sphere, obtained by numerical summation of the exact partial wave expansion, are compared with the predictions of complex angular momentum (CAM) theory. The size parameter x = ka(where k= wavenumber, a = sphere radius) ranges from large values down to values of order unity, to determine the limits of applicability of CAM theory. A complete set of scattering data, i.e., the polarized intensities and the phase difference between the two polarizations, is plotted.

© 1986 Optical Society of America