Validity of rough surface backscattering models

Abstract

A study of the regions of validity for rough surface scattering models is conducted for surfaces with Gaussian and power law power spectra. Models included in the study are physical optics (PO), geometrical optics, small perturbation method and small slope approximation. The range of validity of the PO model is commonly described by a bound on the radius curvature of the surface relative to the electromagnetic wavelength. We show empirically that for backscattering the region of accuracy is more accurately described by a bound on surface slope. For surfaces with a Gaussian power spectrum, the PO model is accurate to within 2 dB for RMS surface slope values less than 0.59 cos3θ. For surfaces with a power law power spectral density, the PO model is accurate for significant slope values (RMS surface height/wavelength of the dominant spectral peak) less than 0.037 cos3θ. These conditions are valid up to approximately 30°. The regions of validity of other models in the study are also shown to be well approximated by bounds on surface slope.