Coherent Microwave Scattering from Rough Surface-capped Inhomogeneous Volumes encountered in Land and Maritime Environments

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Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a remote sensing technique that transmits microwave radiation and focuses the recorded backscatter of the Earth into corresponding SAR images using sophisticated computer algorithms. These images reveal details and characteristics of the Earth's surface and the volume layers or structures close to it, such as snow, vegetation, human infrastructure, ocean features, sea ice, and ships. Interferometric SAR (InSAR) compares two or more SAR images acquired over the same area, but at different times, to derive subtle changes between the images. SAR and InSAR are critical technologies for applications such as maritime surveillance and environmental monitoring.*** While, there have been tremendous advances in SAR technology, techniques, and applications, some of the underlying fundamental processes and detailed physics of active microwave scattering from land and maritime environments remain insufficiently explored and understood. I propose to study open fundamental research questions on the interaction of active microwaves with surface matter such as vegetation, soil, ocean, and ice/ snow. ***1) Investigate how microwaves interact with bare, uncovered soil with realistic, variable moisture distributions. Find how soil parameters such as near surface bulk moisture and vertical moisture gradients can be extracted from the strength and delay of the microwave signal. The anticipated results will be important for new and improved SAR applications that depend on soil moisture data, in areas ranging from agriculture yield prediction to mine field clearance.***2) Study how microwave scatter from Earth environments is correlated between acquisitions at different times and with different spatial characteristics. The results will be used to find a general correlation model (InSAR coherence) for representative Earth environments as a function of microwave properties. The anticipated results will have an important down-stream impact on InSAR applications, ranging from vegetation parameter retrieval to displacement time series e.g. monitoring landslide movement and subsidence.***3) Explore how microwaves of different wavelengths interact with realistic moving ocean surfaces, consisting of wind ripples and foam on top of larger waves. The anticipated results will lead to new and improved maritime SAR applications such as vessel detection and characterization. A better physical description of the ocean background (clutter) will increase our ability to detect smaller vessels in high sea states.*** I propose a unique combination of analytical description, computer simulations, and laboratory experiments to efficiently achieve the stated objectives. This approach will provide excellent opportunities for training highly qualified personnel for academia, space and IT industries, and government organizations such as the Canadian Space Agency and Environment Canada.