Full-Polarization Bistatic Wave Scattering from a Spatially Anisotropic Rough Surface with Inhomogeneous Dielectric Profile

Abstract

This paper presents full polarization wave scattering from a spatially anisotropic rough surface with inhomogeneous dielectric profile modeled by a transitional layer as a function of depth. The spatial anisotropy is described by directional correlation function. In this study, both linearly and circularly polarized scattering are investigated in light of azimuthal dependence, degree of anisotropy, and inhomogeneity. Numerical results show that the backscattering at small scattering angle exhibits strong dependence on degree of anisotropy, but turns to a strong azimuthal dependence at larger scattering angle. The bistatic scattering in the incidence plane reveals strong dependence on degree of anisotropy near the specular direction. In virtue of dielectric inhomogeneity, the scattering pattern reveals several distinct features including: HH polarization increases significantly in the backward region but decreases slightly in the forward region; the forward and backward scattering of VV polarization are enhanced; HV polarization can be greater than VH polarization; both LR and RR polarizations on the whole scattering plane are enhanced. Furthermore, backward scattering is stronger at 0°or 180° of azimuthal angle, but at 90° of azimuthal angle the forward scattering is stronger.