Yackel, JohnGeldsetzer, Torsten2017-12-182017-12-182009Geldsetzer, T. (2009). The dielectric and polarimetric microwave scattering properties of snow covered sea ice (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/2580http://hdl.handle.net/1880/103581Bibliography: p. 223-235In this thesis I investigate the dielectric and polarimetric microwave scattering properties of snow-covered sea ice. I present the first measurements of the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss for brine-wetted snow on first-year sea ice. Using these measurements, I develop empirical and semi-physical models that relate brine volume fraction and brine saturation in the snow to the dielectric properties at MHz and GHz frequencies. To investigate the polarimetric scattering properties of snow-covered sea ice, I describe the field deployment and signal processing methods for a new surface-based C-band scatterometer. Using observations of in situ microwave scattering signatures, geophysical properties and associated dielectric properties of brine-wetted snow, I describe, model and theorize on the polarimetric microwave scattering properties of snow-covered sea ice. I extend this knowledge of dielectric and scattering properties to regional-scale multipolarized SAR investigations for enhancing the discrimination of sea ice types and open water.xx, 236 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.doctoral thesishttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/2580