Eigenvalue-based polarimetric model for interpreting sea surface scattering with and without oil slicks

In this paper, microwave sea surface scattering with and without oil slicks is investigated using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) fully-polarimetric (FP) and compactpolarimetric (CP) data. They show similar trends but subtle differences apply over sea surface that are here analyzed by a new physically-based approach. The model predicts that differences between FP and CP architectures, and among CP modes, are due to the different mapping between polarimetric observables and eigenvalues. This theoretical rationale is verified using actual FP SAR data and emulated CP SAR measurements.