backscatter

American  

[bak-skat-er] / ˈbækˌskæt ər /

Also backscattering

noun

Physics.

1. the deflection of nuclear particles or of radiation in a scattering process through an angle greater than 90°.

---

backscatter Scientific  

/ băk′skăt′ər /

1. The deflection of radiation or particles by electromagnetic or nuclear forces through angles greater than 90° to the initial direction of travel.

2. The radiation or particles so deflected.

---

Etymology

Origin of backscatter

First recorded in 1955–60; back ² + scatter

Example Sentences

"We used our unprecedented fine-scale T2 observations of the cloud base region to develop a theoretical model to estimate cloud droplet concentration based on T2-measured backscatter signals," he added.

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2024

What I like about this photograph is the imperfection of backscatter, recreating space and making it perfect to me.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2022

The subsurface contours of new caves may be mapped by ground-penetrating radar or acoustic backscatter.

From Slate • Sep. 23, 2013

The TSA "is in the process of removing all the backscatter units from ... airports where they are deployed and will replace most of them with millimeter wave technology," he said.

From Reuters • Jan. 18, 2013

About 250 of the scanners, known as backscatter machines, are currently operating in 39 U.S. airports.

From Time • Mar. 3, 2012