The Diffraction of Waves by Ribbons and by Slits

Abstract

The exact solution of the diffraction problem in elliptic cylinder coordinates is computed by the use of newly computed tables of Mathieu functions. Curves are given for the distribution-in-angle and total intensity scattered, for the diffraction by a slit or the scattering by a thin ribbon, of waves whose length is the same order of magnitude as the slit or ribbon width. The curves are for different angles of incidence, for different wave-lengths, and for two boundary conditions: zero value and zero normal gradient.