Rückstreuen

Rückstreuen is a German term that translates to "backscattering" in English. It describes the phenomenon where particles or waves, such as light, sound, or radiation, are deflected by a material and return in the general direction from which they originated. This process is distinct from transmission, where the particles or waves pass through the material, or absorption, where they are taken in by the material.

The mechanism of backscattering depends on the nature of the incident waves and the properties of the scattering material. For light, backscattering can occur due to reflection from surfaces, or more complex interactions with microscopic structures within a material. In radar systems, backscattering is crucial, as it is the reflected radio waves that are detected and analyzed to determine the presence, location, and characteristics of objects. Similarly, in sonar, backscattered sound waves provide information about underwater objects and seafloor composition.

The intensity and angular distribution of backscattered signals carry valuable information. By studying these properties, scientists and engineers can gain insights into the size, shape, texture, and composition of the scattering medium. This principle is applied in various fields, including remote sensing, medical imaging (like ultrasound), materials science, and atmospheric studies. Understanding Rückstreuen is fundamental to interpreting data obtained from many detection and analysis technologies.