Electromagnetic scattering from a layer of periodically distributed cylinders

An electromagnetic scattering model, which accounts for multiple scattering up to the second order, for a layer of periodically distributed cylinders over a dielectric half space is developed. This is based on the second-orde r analytical solutions for two adjacent cylinders. By applying the Monte Ca rlo simulation technique, the results show that the periodic distribution m ay have great effects on the scattering properties. A layer of cylinders ov er a ground plane can be used to model some vegetation canopies, and theref ore, it is necessary to take the periodic effect into account for the theor etical scattering model of a vegetation canopy. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.