Diffraction by Smooth Cylindrical Mountains

This paper is a contribution to the problem of diffraction of EM waves by the smooth crest of a perfectly reflecting mountain. Model experiments at K-band frequencies with mountains of various radii of curvature have been made. The results are compared to an improved Fresnel theory where the reflections of the waves at the surface of the cylinder near its crest are taken into consideration and a correction factor from Fock's theory of grazing incidence is used. The results are also compared to Artmann's and Rice's theories.