Application of Strong Fluctuation Random Medium Theory to Scattering from Vegetation-Like Half Space

Abstract

A model for vegetation scatter is developed using the theory of electromagnetic wave propagation in random medium with strong permittivity fluctuations. In applying the strong fluctuation theory, the singularity of the dyadic Green's function is taken into account. Backscattering coefficients are computed using the distorted Born approximation and illustrated as a function of incidence angle, frequency and moisture content of the vegetation. The mixing formula of the de Loor [28] was used in estimating the permittivity of leaves. The correlation function of Fung and Fung [18], and Fung and Ulaby [19] is used for the random medium.