Temporal Mueller matrix solution for polarimetric scattering from inhomogeneous random media of nonspherical scatterers

Abstract

Polarimetric scattering from inhomogeneous random media of nonspherical scatterers under a pulse incidence is studied. The time-dependent Mueller matrix solution of vector radiative transfer for layering random media is derived. Copolarized and cross-polarized bistatic and back-scattering are numerically calculated. The shape and intensity of polarized echoes well depict the inhomogeneous fraction profile of random scatterers. Its functional dependence upon the fraction profile, layering thickness, and other parameters are discussed. This technique is applicable to reconstruction of inhomogeneous fraction profile and inversion of the media thickness.Index Terms-Inhomogeneous random media, polarimetric scattering, pulse echo, temporal Mueller matrix.

Scattering simulation for inhomogeneous layered canopy and random targets beneath canopies by using the Mueller matrix solution of the pulse radiative transfer

“…This paper presents a theoretical model of layered media of random nonspherical scatterers with respectively different size, shape and fraction (see Figure 1). The temporal Mueller matrix solution of radiative transfer when a polarized pulse is incident upon is presented [ Chang and Jin , 2002, 2003]. Copolarized and cross‐polarized backscattering are numerically calculated.…”

Multiparameter inversion of a layer of vegetation canopy over rough surface from the system response function based on the mueller matrix solution of pulse echoes

“…Backscattering ( , ) is considered in this paper. The difference from the result of [4] is that (3) now includes the integration of over the directions caused by diffused scattering of randomly rough surface.…”

“…The intensity of Gaussian incident pulse is defined as (4) where , is half-power width, and is the time interval between the peak and the initial time ( ). A polarimetric surface scattering model [10], incorporating both Bragg scatter (SPM) as well as depolarization effects of azimuth slopes, is employed for calculation of of (1) and (3).…”

“…As pulse echo profile provides rich temporal information showing the process of wave propagation and scattering through complex media, and might identify contributions from different scatter layers or different volumetric and surface scattering, the wideband pulse propagation problems become important in remote sensing and wireless communication. The temporal Mueller matrix solution for pulse incidence has been derived [4], [5], and applied to the detection of underlying objects [6] and retrievals of roughness and moisture of underlying land surface from polarimetric pulse echoes in specular direction [7].…”

“…The boundary condition of the underlying rough surface is given as (1) where is the Mueller matrix of the rough surface, is the Stokes vector, and , stand for downward and upward direction, respectively. The Mueller matrix solution for polarimetric pulse incidence [4], [5] is written as…”