Simulation of statistical characteristics of light reflected by the sea surface

Abstract

Statistical characteristics of light reflected by the rough sea surface are investigated using the modified method of specular points. The proposed method uses a procedure for determining the light intensity near caustics and is appropriate for evaluating the variance and higher moments of brightness and its probability distribution. With simulations covering a wide range of wave regimes, the statistical characteristics of specular points are investigated in relation to sea roughness and the analytical formulas obtained are tested for correctness. It is shown that the characteristics of specular points in question depend heavily on surface roughness and can be used to develop techniques for the remote sensing of sea roughness.