Optical-Theorem-Based Coherent Scatterer Detection in Complex Environments

A new approach is proposed to detect scatterers embedded in reciprocal media from scattering data. The new method is rooted on physical considerations, in particular, on the optical theorem applicable to wavefields (e.g., acoustic, electromagnetic, and optical). The approach exploits insight gained from the optical theorem which assigns physical energy interpretations to the wave data from time reversal mirrors and cavities from which one can deduce the presence of unknown scatterers in unknown background media. The proposed approach is ideally suited for target detection in complex, highly reverberating unknown environments such as indoor facilities, caves, tunnels, and urban canyon.