Global<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mi mathvariant="double-struck">T</mml:mi></mml:math>operator bounds on electromagnetic scattering: Upper bounds on far-field cross sections

We present a method based on the scattering T operator, and conservation of net real and reactive power, to provide physical bounds on any electromagnetic design objective that can be framed as a net radiative emission, scattering or absorption process. Application of this approach to plane-wave scattering from an arbitrarily shaped, compact body of homogeneous electric susceptibility χ is found to predictively quantify and differentiate the...