A high frequency inverse scattering model to recover the specular point curvature from polarimetric scattering matrix data

Based on the time-domain first-order correction to the physical optics current approximation, a relationship between the phase factors of the polarimetric scattering matrix elements and the principal curvatures at the specular point of a scatterer is established. The above phase-curvature relationship is tested by applying it to theoretical as well as experimental backscattering data obtained from a prolate spheroidal scatterer. The results of these tests not only determine the acceptability of the phase-curvature relationship; they also point out the spectral range over which the first-order correction to the physical optics currents is valid.