Determination of reflector angular position using directional phase-encoded wavefield

Using a directional phase-encoded wavefield, experiments are performed to determine if reflector angular coordinates can be obtained from the encoded phase. Where the target sizes are small, experiments show that significant phase distortions are introduced in the echoes. A mathematical expression for the reflection-diffraction response of a rectangular plate is derived and confirms major phase distortions can arise due to edge diffractions. A scheme of phase reversal is then devised which eliminates the effects of this phase distortion, enables target direction to be determined, and distinguishes small reflectors from large ones. This scheme also tends to be less sensitive to measurement errors. The new results are yet another important support for the usefulness of the emerging concept on directional phase-encoded wavefield