An application of scalar renormalization to the scattering of electromagnetic waves from a three-dimensionally inhomogeneous medium with strong dielectric fluctuations

A theory of polarized radar scattering from a three-dimensionally randomly inhomogeneous lossy medium with strong dielectric fluctuations has been developed using the scalar renormalization method. Satisfactory agreements were obtained when theoretically computed backscattering coefficients were compared with scattering data taken from soybeans and alfalfa over incident angles from 10 degrees to 70 degrees. In view of the assumed inhomogeneous medium and the comparisons made with data, it appears that the theory, is applicable to those vegetations which can be modelled as a volume of air with randomly embedded leaves. Extension of the present theory to include depolarization effects is possible. However, the complete treatment of such a problem is very complicated.