Forward scattering alignment
Encyclopedia
The Forward Scattering Alignment (FSA) is a coordinate system
used in coherent electromagnetic scattering.
The coordinate system is defined from the viewpoint of the electromagnetic wave, before and after scattering. The FSA is most commonly used in optics
, specifically when working with Jones Calculus
because the electromagnetic wave is typically followed through a series of optical components that represent separate scattering events.
FSA gives rise to regular eigenvalue equations. The general alternative coordinate system in electromagnetic scattering is the Back Scattering Alignment
(BSA) which is primarily used in radar
. Both coordinate systems contain essentially the same information and meaning, and thus a scattering matrix can be transformed from one to the other by use of the matrix,
Coordinate system
In geometry, a coordinate system is a system which uses one or more numbers, or coordinates, to uniquely determine the position of a point or other geometric element. The order of the coordinates is significant and they are sometimes identified by their position in an ordered tuple and sometimes by...
used in coherent electromagnetic scattering.
The coordinate system is defined from the viewpoint of the electromagnetic wave, before and after scattering. The FSA is most commonly used in optics
Optics
Optics is the branch of physics which involves the behavior and properties of light, including its interactions with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect it. Optics usually describes the behavior of visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light...
, specifically when working with Jones Calculus
Jones calculus
In optics, polarized light can be described using the Jones calculus, invented by R. C. Jones in 1941. Polarized light is represented by a Jones vector, and linear optical elements are represented by Jones matrices...
because the electromagnetic wave is typically followed through a series of optical components that represent separate scattering events.
FSA gives rise to regular eigenvalue equations. The general alternative coordinate system in electromagnetic scattering is the Back Scattering Alignment
Back scattering alignment
The Back Scattering Alignment is a coordinate system used in coherent electromagnetic scattering. The coordinate system is defined from the viewpoint of the wave source, before and after scattering. The BSA is most commonly used in radar, specifically when working with a Sinclair Matrix because...
(BSA) which is primarily used in radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
. Both coordinate systems contain essentially the same information and meaning, and thus a scattering matrix can be transformed from one to the other by use of the matrix,