On the ability of microwave radiometers to resolve spatially underlying surfaces and on methods to improve it

We discuss methods to improve the ability of microwave radiometers to resolve buried objects. The technique that we expound is based on the effects of instrument polarization. A choice of polarization is made, depending on the characteristics of two objects under survey, in order to maximize probability of correct decision on the object type. The analytical expressions that we have obtained are applied to a number of specific cases of interest.