Multiple Scattering of Electromagnetic Waves in an Underdense Plasma

Abstract

Scattering of electromagnetic waves by an extended underdense plasma is studied. The analysis begins with expressions for multiple scattering of waves. An explicit account of coherent scatterings leads to modified equations. These modified equations are used to derive a transport equation for the intensity (a tensor expressed in polarization components). It is shown that this transport equation may be applied to the calculation of radar backscatter.