Backscatter optical and microwave cross sections for surfaces characterized by Pearson-Moskowitz spectral density functions-full wave approach

Abstract

In the study of wave scattering from terrain, ice, sea and other features on the Earth's surface, the use of the full wave approach leads to solutions that are valid over a broad range of frequencies and roughness scales. The backscattering radar cross sections for two-dimensional random rough surfaces are obtained for surfaces characterized by the Pearson-Moskowitz surface height spectral density function using the full wave approach. These solutions properly account for the small and large scale components of the rough sea surface. They are compared with solutions for surfaces characterized by the usually assumed Gaussian spectral density functions. The impact of the particular rough surface height spectral density function is discussed.<>