Forward scatter

Forward scatter is the deflection of waves in general (or more specifically, electromagnetic waves) in a way that they headed against direction from which they came. This might be caused by diffraction, nonhomogeneous refraction, or nonspecular reflection by particulate matter that are large with respect to the wavelength in question but small with respect to the beam diameter. The forward scattering process may be sensitive to polarization of the wave. Forward scatter is essentially the reverse of backscatter.