A three-scale composite surface model for the ocean wave-radar modulation transfer function

Abstract

An improved three-scale composite surface model for the modulation of the radar backscatter from the ocean surface by long ocean waves is presented. The model is based on Bragg scattering theory. In the conventional two-scale model, only the geometric modulation of the radar backscatter and the hydrodynamic modulation of the short Bragg waves by the long waves is considered. In the three-scale model, the impact of intermediate-scale waves (wavelengths between the length of the Bragg waves and the length of the long waves which are resolved by the radar) is also taken into account, which leads to a modified theoretical ocean wave-radar modulation transfer function (MTF). -Authors