Method for solving the problems of multiple scattering by several bodies in a homogeneous unbounded medium

A method is developed for solving problems of multiple scattering by an aggregate of bodies in a homogeneous unbounded medium. For this purpose, the problem on the multiple scattering produced by two bodies in the field of a plane wave is first considered under the assumption that the initial unperturbed scattering amplitudes of both scatterers are known. The solution is constructed by considering plane waves multiply rescattered by the scatterers. Integral equations are obtained that allow one to calculate the resulting scattering amplitude of each scatterer and the combined scattering amplitude of the system of two scatterers. It is shown that knowledge of the solution to this problem is sufficient to solve the problem on the scattering field of a system consisting of an arbitrary number of scatterers. Expressions for the scattering amplitude in the case of an arbitrary primary field are presented. The relationship between the integral equations describing the multiple scattering in a homogeneous space and the multiple scattering by a single scatterer located near an interface is demonstrated. Approximate expressions are given for calculating the scattering amplitude in the case of multiple scattering. (c) 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc.