Acoustic scattering from mud volcanoes and carbonate mounds

Submarine mud volcanoes occur in many parts of the world's oceans and form an aperture for gas and fluidized mud emission from within the earth's crust. Their characteristics are of considerable interest to the geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and underwater acoustics communities. For the latter, mud volcanoes are of interest in part because they pose a potential source of clutter for active sonar. Close-range (single-interaction) scattering measurements from a mud volcano in the Straits of Sicily show scattering 10-15 dB above the background. Three hypotheses were examined concerning the scattering mechanism: (1) gas entrained in sediment at/near mud volcano, (2) gas bubbles and/or particulates (emitted) in the water column, (3) the carbonate bio-construction covering the mud volcano edifice. The experimental evidence, including visual, acoustic, and nonacoustic sensors, rules out the second hypothesis (at least during the observation time) and suggests that, for this particular mud volcano the dominant mechanism is associated with carbonate chimneys on the mud volcano. In terms of scattering levels, target strengths of 4-14 dB were observed from 800 to 3600 Hz for a monostatic geometry with grazing angles of 3-5 degrees. Similar target strengths were measured for vertically bistatic paths with incident and scattered grazing angles of 3-5 degrees and 33-50 degrees, respectively.     

分形大地土壤表面与部分埋藏目标复合散射特性

采用土水混合物介电常数的Topp方程模型表示大地土壤的介电特性,应用带限Weierstrass-Mandelbrot分形粗糙面模型和Monte Carlo方法模拟大地土壤表面,运用矩量法研究了带限分形大地土壤表面与部分埋藏矩形截面柱复合模型的电磁散射,得出了复合散射系数的角分布曲线;计算了复合散射系数随带限分形大地土壤表面分维、空间基频、高度起伏均方根、土壤含水率、矩形截面柱几何参数、埋藏深度、倾角、入射波频率等的变化情况,并做了详细分析与讨论;结果表明,土壤表面分维等参数对复合散射系数的影响是非常复杂的,镜像附近的角分布曲线具有明显的分形特征。     

Experimental studies of low-frequency bistatic reverberation in a shallow sea

Experimental data are presented on time and frequency dependences of the reverberation level for bistatic transmission and reception at low acoustic frequencies. The data are obtained from the studies carried out in a coastal shallow-water region and in the central region of the Barents Sea with explosion-generated and pulsed cw signals. By using the simplest computational model, approximate estimates are obtained for the effective coefficient of spatial attenuation and the effective scattering coefficient in the frequency band 40–400 Hz.     

不同土壤类型的粗糙地面与其下方埋藏目标复合电磁散射研究

利用MOM研究了不同土壤类型的一维有耗介质粗糙地面与其下方二维埋藏目标的复合电磁散射问题,在数值计算中,引入了锥形入射波以减少粗糙面模拟中由于人为截断所引起的计算误差.当给定入射波频率、土壤成分及土壤温度和土壤湿度后,可以根据相关模型计算出土壤的相对介电常数.数值结果以二维无限长导体圆柱为例,利用 Monte Carlo方法统计计算了双站复合散射截面随土壤类型、土壤湿度、入射波频率及均方根高度等的变化情况,并做了详细分析及讨论.该研究结果对于探地雷达在民用、军事、工业等多领域的应用具有一定的理论指导价值. 关键词： 粗糙地面 土壤类型 相对介电常数 四成分模型     

基于有源超表面的导电板雷达截面增强捷变设计

提出了一种使用散射方向图的动态可重构以实现雷达散射截面增强的捷变设计方法。结合变容二极管加载,使用具有嵌入式偏置回路的物理单元,所提出的有源超表面可以在具有梯度电压的外加直流偏置下,对平面电磁波的正入射或斜入射产生可电调的反射系数相位分布,以达到对反射波角度的灵活重定向,进而有助于单站或双站雷达散射截面增强的捷变效果。以导电平板为例,对三种不同的入射反射场景进行了计算与全波仿真,在设计频率10 GHz处,所提出的设计产生了可重构的散射方向图,表明了该设计对反射波角度的实时控制,并结合实验测量验证了单站与双站雷达散射截面的有效增强结果。     

Bistatic scattering and depolarization by randomly rough surfaces: application to the natural rough surfaces in X-band

Abstract

The scattering of waves by random rough surfaces has important applications in the remote sensing of oceans and land. The problem of developing a model for rough surfaces is very difficult since, at best, the scattering coefficient σ⁰ is dependent upon (at least) the radar frequency, geometrical and physical parameters, incident and observation angles, and polarization. The problem of electromagnetic scattering from a randomly rough surface is analysed using the Kirchhoff approximation (stationary phase, scalar approximation), the small-perturbation model and the two-scale models. A first major new consideration in this paper is the polarimetric signature calculations as a function of the transmitter location and receiver location for a bistatic radio-link. We calculate the like- and cross-polarized received power directly using the scattering coefficients, without calculating the Mueller matrix. Next, a study of the regions of validity of the Kirchhoff and small-perturbation rough surface scattering models (in the bistatic case) is presented. Comparisons between the numerical calculations and the models are made for various surface rms heights and correlation lengths both normalized to the incident wavenumber (denoted by σ and L, respectively). By using these two parameters to form a two-dimensional space, the approximate regions of validity are then established. The second major new consideration is the development of a theoretical two-scale model describing bistatic reflectivity as well as the numerical results computed for the bistatic radar cross section from rough surfaces especially from the sea and snow-covered surfaces. The results are used to show the Brewster angle effect on near-grazing angle scattering.     

Bistatic scattering and depolarization by randomly rough surfaces: application to the natural rough surfaces in X-band

The scattering of waves by random rough surfaces has important applications in the remote sensing of oceans and land. The problem of developing a model for rough surfaces is very difficult since, at best, the scattering coefficient σ⁰ is dependent upon (at least) the radar frequency, geometrical and physical parameters, incident and observation angles, and polarization. The problem of electromagnetic scattering from a randomly rough surface is analysed using the Kirchhoff approximation (stationary phase, scalar approximation), the small-perturbation model and the two-scale models. A first major new consideration in this paper is the polarimetric signature calculations as a function of the transmitter location and receiver location for a bistatic radio-link. We calculate the like- and cross-polarized received power directly using the scattering coefficients, without calculating the Mueller matrix. Next, a study of the regions of validity of the Kirchhoff and small-perturbation rough surface scattering models (in the bistatic case) is presented. Comparisons between the numerical calculations and the models are made for various surface rms heights and correlation lengths both normalized to the incident wavenumber (denoted by σ and L, respectively). By using these two parameters to form a two-dimensional space, the approximate regions of validity are then established. The second major new consideration is the development of a theoretical two-scale model describing bistatic reflectivity as well as the numerical results computed for the bistatic radar cross section from rough surfaces especially from the sea and snow-covered surfaces. The results are used to show the Brewster angle effect on near-grazing angle scattering.     

Acoustic quasi-holographic images of scattering by vertical cylinders from one-dimensional bistatic scans

When synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) is used to image elastic targets in water, subtle features can be present in the images associated with the dynamical response of the target being viewed. In an effort to improve the understanding of such responses, as well as to explore alternative image processing methods, a laboratory-based system was developed in which targets were illuminated by a transient acoustic source, and bistatic responses were recorded by scanning a hydrophone along a rail system. Images were constructed using a relatively conventional bistatic SAS algorithm and were compared with images based on supersonic holography. The holographic method is a simplification of one previously used to view the time evolution of a target's response [Hefner and Marston, ARLO 2, 55-60 (2001)]. In the holographic method, the space-time evolution of the scattering was used to construct a two-dimensional image with cross range and time as coordinates. Various features for vertically hung cylindrical targets were interpreted using high frequency ray theory. This includes contributions from guided surface elastic waves, as well as transmitted-wave features and specular reflection.     

Methods for measuring bistatic characteristics of sound scattering by the ocean bottom and surface

It is very interesting to measure the bistatic characteristics of sound scattering by the ocean bottom and surface for the development of present-day hydrolocation net-centric schemes. Possible methods for measuring scattering bistatic characteristics are evaluated. The angular characteristics of reverberation related to illumination of a water area by active linearly frequency-modulated signals are studied using linear passive arrays to test a measuring scheme in a shallow water area with a depth of ~20 m in the 1–3 kHz frequency range. The bistatic sound-scattering characteristics in the water area are calculated based on the measurements. The obtained characteristics are compared with the known data on the backscattering of sound.     

Investigation on electromagnetic scattering from rough soil surface of layered medium using the small perturbation method

Electromagnetic scattering from a rough surface of layered medium is investigated, and the formulae of the scattering coefficients for different polarizations are derived using the small perturbation method. A rough surface with exponential correlation function is presented for describing a rough soil surface of layered medium, the formula of its scattering coefficient is derived by considering the spectrum of the rough surface with exponential correlation function; the curves of the bistatic scattering coefficient of HH polarization with variation of the scattering angle are obtained by numerical calculation. The influence of the permittivity of layered medium, the mean layer thickness of intermediate medium, the roughness surface parameters and the frequency of the incident wave on the blstatic scattering coefficient is discussed. Numerical results show that the influence of the permittivity of layered medium, the mean layer thickness of intermediate medium, the rms and the correlation length of the rough surface, and the frequency of the incident wave on the bistatic scattering coefficient is very complex.     

Subcritical scattering from buried elastic shells

Buried objects have been largely undetectable by traditional high-frequency sonars due to their insignificant bottom penetration. Further, even a high grazing angle sonar approach is vastly limited by the coverage rate dictated by the finite water depth, making the detection and classification of buried objects using low frequency, subcritical sonar an interesting alternative. On the other hand, such a concept would require classification clues different from the traditional high-resolution imaging and shadows to maintain low false alarm rates. A potential alternative, even for buried targets, is classification based on the acoustic signatures of man-made elastic targets. However, the elastic responses of buried and proud targets are significantly different. The objective of this work is to identify, analyze, and explain some of the effects of the sediment and the proximity of the seabed interface on the scattering of sound from completely and partially buried elastic shells. The analysis was performed using focused array processing of data from the GOATS98 experiment carried out jointly by MIT and SACLANTCEN, and a new hybrid modeling capability combining a virtual source-or wave-field superposition-approach with an exact spectral integral representation of the Green's functions for a stratified ocean waveguide, incorporating all multiple scattering between the object and the seabed. Among the principal results is the demonstration of the significant role of structural circumferential waves in converting incident, evanescent waves into backscattered body waves, emanating to the receivers at supercritical grazing angles, in effect making the target appear closer to the sonar than predicted by traditional ray theory.     

Reverberation at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge during the 1993 ARSRP experiment seen by R/V Alliance from 200-1400 Hz and some modeling inferences

In July 1993 SACLANTCEN participated in an experiment for the Acoustic Reverberation Special Research Program (ARSRP). The primary objective was to take high resolution measurements to shed light on the detailed physical processes dominating the low frequency scattering from rough topographic features and from deep sediment pond areas. A very detailed set of monostatic and bistatic scattering experiments were conducted just west of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge near 26 degrees N, 47 degrees W. Results from SACLANTCEN's R/V ALLIANCE are presented which show monostatic and bistatic scattering from selected bathymetric features using pulsed sources from 200-1400 Hz and SUS charges. Area water depths ranged from 3300 to greater than 5200 m. The receivers were a horizontal array of 128 elements spaced at 0.5, 1, and 2 m. Source depths varied from 120 to 1200 m and receiver depths ranged from 400 to 500 m. Received reverberation levels are presented as functions of the estimated scatterer position on area bathymetry maps. Results show the same high scattering areas from one seamount were observed in three distinct frequency bands centered at 227, 350, and 700 Hz. Even at 1350 Hz the correlation of scattering highlights with nearby bathymetric features is quite good. Comparisons of measured reverberation and modeled reverberation are presented which suggest that the dominant longer range scattering from the large features is driven by the steep slopes present above the critical depth but that small scale roughness is also essential for strong backscatter.     

Monostatic and bistatic statistical shadowing functions from a one-dimensional stationary randomly rough surface: II. Multiple scattering

The integral equation model (IEM) has been developed over the last decade and it has become one of the most widely used theoretical models for rough-surface scattering in microwave remote sensing. In the IEM model the shadowing function is typically either omitted or a form based on geometric optics with single reflection is used. In this paper, a shadowing function for one-dimensional rough surfaces which incorporates multiple scattering, finite surface length and both monostatic and bistatic configurations is developed. For any uncorrelated process, the resulting equation can be expressed in terms of the monostatic statistical shadowing function with single reflection, derived in the preceding companion paper. The effect of correlation between the surface slopes and heights for a Gaussian surface is studied to illuminate the range over which such correlations can be ignored. It is found that while the correlation between surface slopes and heights in the monostatic statistical shadowing function with single reflection can be ignored, when calculating the average shadowing function with double reflection the correlation between slopes and heights between points must be incorporated.     

An attempt to determine the tritium, Na, Cl and radon in territory of mud volcano in Taman

Little is known about the radio-isotopic geochemistry of mud volcanoes in the Taman area, Krasnodar region, in the tectonic active zone of the Caucasus range. In 1998, we have started the determination of radon in soil air using solid state nuclear track detectors on a monthly basis. Tritium was determined out of water sampled at the mud volcano vents by means of both mass spectrometry and liquid scintillation. ²²Na, ³⁶Cl were also determined by means of a low background gamma spectrometer placed at a depth of 50 m in our underground laboratory. It was found that mud volcano fluids are of partial deep origin.     

The SSA+ for scattering from dielectric surfaces at very low grazing angles

Previously we developed a practical model for scattering from randomly-rough surfaces at very low grazing angles for the Dirichlet problem which was found to give good numerical results. In this paper, we derive the expression for the bistatic scattering cross-section for the non-local small slope approximation for dielectric interfaces. We then extend our practical model to dielectric surfaces based on this result. We discuss numerical results for scattering at low forward grazing angles for a Gaussian roughness spectrum with an angle of incidence of 80^○.     

分形粗糙面双站散射的快速前后向迭代法数值模拟

为模拟复杂分形表面特别是在低掠角入射条件下的双站散射,发展了一种结合前后向迭代方法(FBM)与谱加速算法(SAA)快速求解散射场的Monte Carlo数值方法,计算了在TE,TM锥形波入射在一维分形导体粗糙面的双站散射以及有规则异物存在时的双站散射,讨论了分形粗糙面双站散射的角度性分布与其分数维的关系. 关键词： GFBM/SAA 分形粗糙面 双站散射     

散射介质中层间杂质检测效率的影响因素及分析

散射介质中层间杂质检测是一个非常重要的研究课题.改进现有的Monte Carlo方法,模拟大量光子在散射介质中的传输,得到入射光强、杂质埋藏深度、介质折射率、介质散射系数和各向异性因子对光学透反射成像法检测层间杂质效率的影响规律.结果表明,入射光强、杂质埋藏深度和介质折射率对透反射成像检测结果均有影响,且影响规律相似.增加入射光强、减小杂质埋藏深度或减小介质折射率均可提高反射光成像的检测效率;增大入射光强、减小介质折射率、减小介质散射系数或增大各向异性因子均可提高透射光成像的检测效率.这些规律对散射介质中层间杂质检测具有一定指导意义.     

Monostatic and bistatic statistical shadowing functions from a one-dimensional stationary randomly rough surface: II. Multiple scattering

Abstract

The integral equation model (IEM) has been developed over the last decade and it has become one of the most widely used theoretical models for rough-surface scattering in microwave remote sensing. In the IEM model the shadowing function is typically either omitted or a form based on geometric optics with single reflection is used. In this paper, a shadowing function for one-dimensional rough surfaces which incorporates multiple scattering, finite surface length and both monostatic and bistatic configurations is developed. For any uncorrelated process, the resulting equation can be expressed in terms of the monostatic statistical shadowing function with single reflection, derived in the preceding companion paper. The effect of correlation between the surface slopes and heights for a Gaussian surface is studied to illuminate the range over which such correlations can be ignored. It is found that while the correlation between surface slopes and heights in the monostatic statistical shadowing function with single reflection can be ignored, when calculating the average shadowing function with double reflection the correlation between slopes and heights between points must be incorporated.     

双基地混响平均强度理论及仿真预报

考察远程双基地界面混响,可以仅考察二维问题,其散射区域为一椭圆环带;对于近程双基地界面混响,必须讨论三维模型,其散射元分布在一椭球面上.对二维和三维双基地混响进行理论建模分析,该模型优点是无需使用无线电通信,借助GPS时钟即可同步工作,实现双基地声呐系统的测距及测向,便于双基地声呐系统的集成.推导出二维和三维模型的双基地声压混响理论预报公式.对三维矢量混响作仿真研究,并讨论矢量传感器组合指向性抗混响. 关键词： 双基地混响 声压混响 矢量混响     

Acoustic scattering by a three-dimensional elastic object near a rough surface

The ensemble-averaged field scattered by a smooth, bounded, elastic object near a penetrable surface with small-scale random roughness is formulated. The formulation consists of combining a perturbative solution for modeling propagation through the rough surface with a transition (T-) matrix solution for scattering by the object near a planar surface. All media bounding the rough surface are assumed to be fluids. By applying the results to a spherical steel shell buried within a rough sediment bottom, it is demonstrated that the ensemble-averaged "incoherent" intensity backscattered by buried objects illuminated with shallow-grazing-angle acoustic sources can be well enhanced at high frequencies over field predictions based on scattering models where all environmental surfaces are planar. However, this intensity must compete with the incoherent intensity scattered back from the interface itself, which can defeat detection attempts. The averaged "coherent" component of the field maintains the strong evanescent spectral decay exhibited by flat interface predictions of shallow-angle measurements but with small deviations. Nevertheless, bistatic calculations of the coherent field suggest useful strategies for improving long-range detection and identification of buried objects.