A novel time reversal method for target detection in cluttered media

A cluttered environment with highly scattering objects significantly enhances the difficulty for detecting targets using electromagnetic waves. Time reversal methods have been developed in acoustic wave propagation. It has been shown that the super resolution focusing effect in acoustic wave propagation can also be achieved electromagnetic wave propagation. We present a novel time reversal method that nullifies the scattering objects to allow automatic focusing of the propagated electromagnetic wave on a target that is to be detected. Numerical simulations using the FDTD method have been carried out. The results show that the method significantly enhances the dynamic range of target detection in a highly scattering environment and could substantially increase target detectability.