Response of X- and K-band cross section of the sea surface to small current variations

The modulation of the energy of centimetre waves on the sea surface by slowly varying currents is studied. An energy balance is used that contains effects of refraction, input of energy by wind, dissipation, and nonlinear triad interactions. This model predicts modulation factors on the order of 100 to 1000. The nonlinearity of the model makes it possible to find these large values, which, under certain circumstances, are also encountered in experiments.<
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