Comparative Evaluation of Two Analytical Models for Microwaves Scattering from Deciduous Leaves

Abstract

The generalized Rayleigh-Gans (GRG) approximation is usually used to compute thescattering amplitudes of leaves smaller or comparable to a wavelength, while the physical optics (PO)approach with the resistive sheet approximation is commonly used for leaves larger or comparable to thewavelength. In this paper, the scattering amplitudes of an elliptical leaf are computed using thosetheoretical scattering models (GRG and PO) at different frequencies. The accuracies of the analyticalmodels for microwave scattering from deciduous leaves are investigated by comparison with the preciseestimation by the method of moment (MoM). It was found that both the PO approach and the GRGapproximation can be used alternatively for computing the scattering matrices of natural deciduous leavesat P-, L-, C- and X-band frequencies.