A review of surface scatter theories for modeling applications

The principles and basic characteristics of some common surface scatter models are reviewed. The methods for developing scatter models discussed include the Kirchhoff method, the geometric optics method, the perturbation method, the two-scale method, the facet method, the variational method, the full-wave method, the diagram method, and the moment method. The applications of several of these models to land and sea scatter are illustrated and areas for further studies are indicated.