Analysis of electromagnetic scattering from typical targets for orbital‐angular‐momentum waves: Theoretical model

Abstract The target scattering characteristics in microwave band are necessary to be researched for Orbital‐Angular‐Momentum (OAM) wave‐based radar applications. A theoretical description of electromagnetic (EM) scattering from a typical target by OAM waves is proposed in this paper. First, OAM waves are decomposed into plane waves in the spectral domain with different elevation and azimuth angles. Then, the scattering form of each decomposed plane wave is determined through coordinate system transformation and physical optics approximation. Formulas and numerical results are presented for OAM‐based radar scattering cross section of a perfect electric conductor and dielectric plate and a cylinder. Unlike the conventional results of EM plane wave scattering, the scattering properties of OAM waves from plate and cylinder are analysed with particular emphasis on OAM mode influence. The results provide insights into OAM wave‐matter interactions and may find important applications in wave propagation and OAM wave‐based radar detection and imaging.