Polarimetric surface scattering omnidirectionally from distributed target

Abstract

The model developed in this paper aims to predict scattering characteristics along the azimuth angle, in order to understand distribution of scatter energy from statistically rough surfaces. Scattering information must be determined omnidirectionally, not just in the specular or backscatter direction. The objective of this paper is to examine the bistatic scattering characteristics for like- and cross-polarized scattering from randomly rough surfaces along the azimuth angle. Because the single cross-polarized scattering coefficient vanishes in the plane of incidence, and the single like-polarizations reach their minima near 90 degrees from the incident plane, multiple scattering shows significant contribution to the cross-polarized scattering in the plane of incidence and to the like-polarizations in the orthogonal plane. The phase terms of Green's function discriminate between scattering in upward or downward directions, so that the contribution of multiple scattering can be studied. The existing integral equation method ignores the phase terms of Green's function and therefore fails to predict scattering strength along the azimuth angle. In this paper we study the effect of multiple scattering under different surface parameters and make comparisons between the model prediction and experimental measurements. The model prediction demonstrates good agreement with experimental data for both like- and cross-polarized scattering coefficients.