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Polarization of reflected light as a function in remote sensing of sea state

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Abstract

Polarizaton characteristics of completely diffuse light reflected from a wind roughened sea surface and its total reflectance are studied for various wind speeds on the assumption that distribution of wave slopes around their mean is Gaussian. The angular distribution of diffuse reflectance and polarization status of reflected light are also estimated with a view to exploring possibilities of using these parameters for remote sensing of sea state from a satellite, aircraft or an observation tower. The efficiency of Brewster’s angle technique in eliminating reflected light from the sea surface radiance for remote sensing of subsurface material is examined for non flat sea surface in the light of these results. the results show that the diffuse light reflected from the sea surface contains information on the sea state in the form of its status of polarization and can be used as an observational tool in remote sensing of sea state. The scope and limitations of the method proposed are discussed.

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Sathe, P.V., Sathyendranath, S. Polarization of reflected light as a function in remote sensing of sea state. Jour.Ind.Soc. Remote Sensing 14, 63–78 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03007232

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