Correlation of Bragg scattering from the sea surface at different polarizations

The phase interference fading in Bragg backscattering from the sea surface at moderate incidence angles is considered using both moment method calculation of the scattering from measured water profiles and an implementation of the slightly rough, tilted facet model. The fading of the instantaneous scattering cross-section is shown to be independent of the instantaneous phase of the illuminating signal. The vertical and horizontal polarization fading responses are therefore strongly correlated when identical carrier frequencies and modulations are used at both polarizations since the electromagnetic energy is Bragg resonant with the same small-scale roughness in both cases, independent of whether the polarization channels are phase locked. Instantaneous horizontally polarized Bragg backscattering (HH) exceeding that at vertical polarization (VV) is extremely unlikely in this case. Use of an offset in the frequencies of monochromatic signals used at the two polarizations can lead to reduced correlation between the fading if the illumination footprint length is sufficiently large so that the frequency shift introduces a significant additional phase shift between the scattering from the leading and trailing edges of the footprint. The fading shows only a very weak correlation when this phase shift exceeds 400°. HH Bragg backscattering exceeding VV will be much more common under these specialized conditions.

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Office of Naval Research Ship Structures and System S&T Division under grant N00014-03-1-0134.