Optimal polarizations for statistically distributed scatterers-theory and measurements with the DFVLR weather radar

Considers the topic of characteristic polarizations for statistically distributed volume targets in view of applications of the DFVLR weather radar. Time series of null polarizations are compared with optimal polarizations of mean backscattered power. The complete polarimetric information for extended time observations can be deduced from polarization signatures, displaying the polarization dependence of mean power return and degree of coherence of the backscattered electromagnetic waves. All quantities can be derived from time series of complete scattering matrices with regard to the statistical nature of the radar scattering process considered. The corresponding processing of polarimetric time series data is described and illustrated by recent radar measurements of rain and chaff (artificial dipoles)