Mathematical and physical modelling of microwave scattering and polarimetric remote sensing : monitoring the Earth's environment using polarimetric radar : formulation and potential applications

Preface. Acknowledgements. Part 1: Introduction. A. Scope of the subject. B. Description of the research program. C. Outline of the monograph. Part 2: An Introduction to Mathematical and Physical Modelling of Microwave Scattering and Polarimetric Remote Sensing. 1. Introduction to Inverse Radar Scattering Problems. 1.1. Theoretical aspects. 1.2. Pattern recognition and evaluation parameters. 1.3. Conditions for implementing inverse scattering techniques. 1.4. Polarimetric radar. 2. Description of Remote Sensing by Radar Polarimetry. 2.1. Physical process of encoding/decoding of polarimetric data. 2.2. Physical realization of a polarimetric radar. 2.3. Methods of measurements of polarimetric data. 2.4. Radar techniques for polarimetric remote sensing. 3. Physical and Mathematical Modelling. 3.1. Physical modelling. 3.2. Mathematical modelling. 4. Summary of Available Scattering Methods. 4.1. Introduction. 4.2. Transport theory: radiative transfer equation. Part 3: Diagnostics of the Earth s Environment Using Polarimetric Radar Monitoring: Formulation and Potential Applications. 5. Basic Mathematical Modelling for Random Environments. 5.1. Introduction. 5.2. Space spectrum method. 5.3. Solutions. 5.4. Conclusions and applications. 6. Review of Vegetation Models. 6.1. Introduction. 6.2. Biometrical characteristics of vegetation. 6.3. Electrophysical characteristics of vegetation. 6.4. Electrodynamic model of vegetation. 6.5. Determination of biometrical characteristics of vegetation from radar remote sensing data. 6.6. Classification of vegetation. 6.7. Conclusions and applications. 7. Electrodynamic and Physical Characteristics of Earth Surfaces. 7.1. Introduction. 7.2. Complex permittivity. 7.3. Dielectric and physical parameters. 7.4. Interrelations between dielectric and physical characteristics. 7.5. Conclusions and applications. 8. Reflection of Electromagnetic Waves from Non-Uniform Layered Structures. 8.1. Introduction 8.2. Deterministic approach. 8.3. Stochastic case of three layers with flat boundaries. 8.4. Conclusions and applications. 9. Radiowave Reflection from Structures with Internal Ruptures. 9.1. Introduction. 9.2. Reflection from a symmetrical wedge-shaped fracture. 9.3. Reflection from an asymmetric wedge-shaped fracture. 9.4. Reflection from a pit with spherical form. 9.5. Reflection from a rectangular pit with finite depth. 9.6. Antenna pattern and fracture filling effects. 9.7. Combined model. 9.8. Conclusions and applications. 10. Scattering of Waves by a Layer with a Rough Boundary. 10.1. Introduction. 10.2. Initial equations and solutions. 10.3. Model parameters of an ensemble of co-directional cylinders. 10.4. Conclusions and applications. 11. Polarimetric Methods for Measuring Permittivity Characteristics of the Earth's Surface. 11.1. Introduction. 11.2. Determination of the complex permittivity.

Radar technology is increasingly being used to monitor the environment. This monograph provides a review of polarimetric radar techniques for remote sensing. The first four chapters cover the basics of mathematical, statistical modelling as well as physical modelling based on radiowave scattering theory. The subsequent eight chapters summarize applications of polarimetric radar monitoring for various types of earth environments, including vegetation and oceans. The last two chapters provide a summary of Western as well as former Soviet Union knowledge and the outlook. This monograph is of value to students, scientists and engineers involved in remote sensing development and applications in particular for environmental monitoring.