Scattering by dielectric straps with potential application as target support structures

Electromagnetic scattering from thin dielectric straps is analyzed from the viewpoint of using dielectric straps as target support structures. It is shown that for this application, one can approximate the equivalent currents induced on the strap by those obtained using a two-dimensional model, which results in significant reduction in computation time. As a target support structure, a dielectric strap should have a low radar cross section (RCS) and very small biscattered fields. It is shown that the RCS of dielectric straps is quite low especially if the straps are oriented at a small angle relative to the incident planar wavefront and the incident wavefront illuminates the straps at or near edge-on. The bistatic scattering from dielectric straps is also significantly lower than that from conventional metal ogival pedestals. Thus, dielectric straps seem to be a good alternative as a target support