Forward and backscattering by targets with plane or axis of symmetry

The back scattering and forward scattering characteristics for some targets with a plane or axis of symmetry are investigated. Results reveal some unexpected differences between the forward and the backscattering properties of these targets. It is found that, contrary to the back scattered field, forward scattering for these axisymmetric targets is symmetric around the axis normal to the plane or axis of symmetry. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate this finding for some composite targets. The generality of this observation is established by considering scatterers for which analytic solutions exist. Results should be of importance in radar and wave propagation studies