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Symmetry properties in polarimetric remote sensing
Author(s) -
Nghiem S. V.,
Yueh S. H.,
Kwok R.,
Li F. K.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/92rs01230
Subject(s) - polarimetry , scattering , reflection symmetry , mueller calculus , symmetry (geometry) , polarization (electrochemistry) , rotational symmetry , basis (linear algebra) , physics , azimuth , backscatter (email) , remote sensing , computational physics , optics , mathematics , computer science , geometry , geology , chemistry , telecommunications , mechanics , wireless
This paper presents the relations among polarimetric backscattering coefficients from the viewpoint of symmetry groups. Symmetry of geophysical media encountered in remote sensing due to reflection, rotation, azimuthal, and centrical symmetry groups is considered for both reciprocal and nonreciprocal cases. On the basis of the invariance under symmetry transformations in the linear polarization basis, the scattering coefficients are related by a set of equations which restrict the number of independent parameters in the polarimetric covariance matrix. The properties derived under these transformations are general and apply to all scattering mechanisms in a given symmetrical configuration. The scattering coefficients calculated from theoretical models for layer random media and rough surfaces are shown to obey the derived symmetry relations. Use of symmetry properties in remote sensing of structural and environmental responses of scattering media is discussed. As a practical application, the results from this paper provide new methods for the external calibration of polarimetric radars without the deployment of man‐made calibration targets.