This Engineering Research Equipment Grant is for the acquisition of two major instruments, an HP8510B vector network analyzer system to be used for microwave and millimeter wave experiments, and a MicroVax 3500 computer system to be used for numerical studies of microwave and millimeter wave scattering. The PIs have been conducting extensive research supported by NSF in three major areas: imaging in random inhomogeneous media; microwave remote-sensing of geophysical media; and subsurface object scattering and detection. All of these areas require studies of the interactions of waves with random or inhomogeneous natural media. Major objectives are the development of basic information on imaging, remote-sensing, and detection in the geophysical media including hydrometeors, fog, hail, turbulent air, vegetation, soil, rock, snow, and ice where multiple scattering and scattering by complex objects are particularly important. The efforts have been directed by extensive theoretical investigations, numerical studies, and controlled experiments including optical and microwave scattering measurements. The proposed microwave and millimeter wave scattering systems should materially advance their ability to conduct the experiments and numerical studies and to develop theoretical models of wave interactions with geophysical media. It will also enhance their current and future research on imaging, remote-sensing, and detection.
