Polar Decomposition and Polarimetric SAR Analysis: A Quaternion Approach

We assess here the use of polar decomposition in SAR polarimetry, based on the quaternion formalism. Quaternions are helpful to obtain compact and original expressions of polar decomposition parameters, with straightforward extensions in bi-static polarimetry. Once the formalism of quaternions has been presented, both coherent and incoherent polarimetry approaches are discussed in this joint framework of polar decomposition and quaternions. Preliminary tests and comparisons with Cloude-Pottier parameters are conducted on ONERA/Ramses SAR data takes.