Symbol of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator in 2D diffraction problems with large wavenumber

Abstract

We put forward a conjecture about an universal asymptotical behaviour of the symbol of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator (considered as a pseudodifferential operator) in the 2D exterior problem for the Hemholtz equation. The conjecture is motivated by simple explicit examples and backed by numerical calculations, even in the case of a non-convex obstacle. It implies (at a physical level of rigor) Kirhhoff's approximation.