Polarimetric microwave emission from snow surfaces: 4th Stokes component analysis

The effect of ice on polarimetric 4^th Stokes component observations is investigated using WindSat data over Antarctica. The difference in the magnitude of the signal observed during (July 2003) and summer (February 2004) months are investigated using a second harmonic sine function of the azimuth look angle. The seasonal variations are further investigated by a time series of the 4,th Stokes component for a location in Wilkes Land in east Antarctica and compared with a time series observed by the ERS scatterometer (ESCAT) from a previous work. The paper discusses the potential of a polarimetric radiometer in providing information about scattering and thermal properties of a snow ice pack.