The space-time acoustic wave diffraction due to a spherical Gaussian p
ulse near an absorbing half plane introducing the Kutta-Joukowski cond
ition (wake condition) is considered. The temporal Fourier transform i
s used to calculate the diffracted field. It is found that the field p
roduced by the Kutta-Joukowski condition will be substantially in exce
ss of that in its absence when the source is near the edge. (C) 1998 E
lsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.