Backscatter of millimeter waves from snow, ice and sea ice : final technical report, 31 December 1972

Abstract : The factors contributing to the scattering of electromagnetic waves from snow, ice, and sea ice are discussed. Laboratory measurements of the complex permittivity of sea ice as a function of temperature and salinity are reported for the frequency range 26-40 GHz. Bistatic field measurements of backscatter are also described, and results presented for a wide variety of conditions of snow cover and ice topography. Surface topography and liquid water content are dominant contributors to backscatter.