Application of First-Order Renormalization Method to Scattering from a Vegetation-Like Half-Space

A general theory is developed for scattering from an inhomogeneous half-space with strong permittivity fluctuations. Closed form bistatic scattering coefficients are obtained using the method of field renormalization for a vegetation-like medium characterized by a random permittivity function with a large variance and a cylindrically symmetric, fast-decaying correlation function. Multiple-scattering effects are accounted for to the same extent as in the first-order renormalization approach. Behaviors of the scatter model are illustrated by computing sample cases using Carlson's permittivity model for leaves. Cursory comparison between this theory and some recent data shows general agreements in both level and angular trends, indicating promise in the use of the developed scatter model for explaining vegetation scatter.