Loss mechanism and diagnostic elements of rock exhaust-jet structure from the diffracted field

The small arrival-angle loss mechanism, associated with a typical high electron-density rocket exhaust jet has been modelled using an approximate scalar, ´effective diffracting surface´, description. It contrasts with GTD descriptions using ´equivalent´ diffracting objects in that its ray-optic basis accounts for changes in the intensity distribution within a diffuse region surrounding the geometrical shadow. Diagnostic information on broad features of jet structure, which can facilitate noninvasive validation of models of the jet structure, have been identified within the diffracted field.