Coherence Optimization Methods for Scattering Centers Separation in Polarimetric Interferometry

Abstract

This paper investigates to what extent a coherence optimization in polarimetric interferometry allows the separation of bright points located in the same resolution cell according to their interferometric phases. Two different coherence definitions, the "two-mechanism coherence", and the "one-mechanism coherence", are introduced and the corresponding optimization methods are briefly discussed. These methods have been experimentally validated using simple target measurements acquired in an anechoic chamber. In the presented case, the "one-mechanism coherence" optimization enables the separation of bright points of this target.