Polarization characteristics of microwave backscattering by sea wave nonstationarities

The experimental results of investigations into polarization and polarization-spectral characteristics of rough sea backscattered signals at Xand K/sub a/-wavebands for small grazing angles are presented. Sea state is described by two situations of nonstationary backscattering: spikes of intensity and pauses. During the spikes the depolarization coefficients, spectrum central frequency and spectrum width increasing is marked and the second maximum appearance in the scattered signal spectra is observed. The probable mechanisms are analyzed, the one of these is the backscattering from spray-drop fraction formed by breaking of sea wave.