Scattering Field Intensity and Orbital Angular Momentum Spectral Distribution of Vortex Electromagnetic Beams Scattered by Electrically Large Targets Comprising Different Materials

Abstract

In this study, we obtained the intensity and orbital angular momentum (OAM) spectral distribution of the scattering fields of vortex electromagnetic beams illuminating electrically large targets composed of different materials. We used the angular spectral decomposition method to decompose a vortex beam into plane waves in the spectral domain at different elevations and azimuths. We combined this method with the physical optics algorithm to calculate the scattering field distribution. The OAM spectra of the scattering field along different observation radii were analyzed using the spiral spectrum expansion method. The numerical results indicate that for beams with different parameters (such as polarization, topological charge, half-cone angle, and frequency) and targets with different characteristics (such as composition), the scattering field intensity distribution and OAM spectral characteristics varied considerably. When the beam parameters change, the results of scattering from different materials show similar changing trends. Compared with beams scattered by uncoated metal and dielectric targets, the scattering field of the coating target can better maintain the shape and OAM mode of beams from the incident field. The scattering characteristics of metal targets were the most sensitive to beam-parameter changes. The relationship between the beam parameters, target parameters, the scattering field intensity, and the OAM spectra of the scattering field was constructed, confirming that the spiral spectrum of the scattering field carries the target information. These findings can be used in remote sensing engineering to supplement existing radar imaging, laying the foundation for further identification of beam or target parameters.