Category:Infinite Array

An infinite array is a structure in which the scattering body repeats periodically to infinity in both directions. Making use of the periodicity of the structure as well as that of the incident wave, the problem can be reduced to having to solve for one body. The scattered potential of all other bodies is obtained by simple phase shift.

The infinite array is often used as an approximation for a finite array as its solution is very much simpler. Besides allowing the approximation of quantities associated with particular bodies in the array (the forces upon the body, e.g.), it also directly provides information about the far field away from the array.

The infinite-array problem is also often met in other applications, for example in acoustic of electromagnetic scattering, where it is also termed diffraction grating.

There is a vast literature on this problem dating back to early twentieth century work. Recently, a solution was suggested in Peter, Meylan, and Linton 2006 which, in particular, applies to arbitrary scatterers.

Associated with infinite arrays is the phenomenon of Rayleigh-Bloch Waves.