Basic principles of SAR polarimetry

Abstract

This chapter critically summarizes the main theoretical aspects necessary for a correct processing and interpretation of the polarimetric information towards the development of applications of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) polarimetry. First of all, the basic principles of wave polarimetry (which deals with the representation and the understanding of the polarization state of an electromagnetic wave) and scattering polarimetry (which concerns inferring the properties of a target given the incident and the scattered polarized electromagnetic waves) are given. Then, concepts regarding the description of polarimetric data are reviewed, covering statistical and scattering aspects, the latter in terms of coherent and incoherent decomposition techniques. Finally, polarimetric SAR interferometry and tomography, two acquisition modes that enable the extraction of the 3-D scatterer position and separation, respectively, and their polarimetric characterization, are described.