The partition wavenumber in acoustic backscattering from a two-scale rough surface described by a power-law spectrum

Scattering from the ocean bottom is often assumed to be controlled by two spatial scales: the larger scale associated with reflections from plane facets, and the smaller one associated with diffuse scattering from height variations. Choosing the wavenumber for this partitioning has proven to be important but troublesome. For this work, scattering data are simulated using Helmholtz-Kirchhoff or physical optics theory and selected input geomorphology. These data are inverted to provide rms slope of facets and rms heights of small-scale roughness using a simple two-scale roughness model introduced previously (J. W. Caruthers and J. C. Novarini, IEEE J. Oceanic Eng., vol. 18, pp. 100-106, 1993). Bottom relief is described by power spectra of the power law form, and the bottom is assumed to be impenetrable. The work introduces a new criterion for effecting this partition based on setting a roughness parameter equal to unity. The criterion is shown to be valid for the cases analyzed based on the ability of the inversion model to recover the input geomorphology