Sea-wave fractal spectrum for SAR remote sensing

A new model of the sea-wave directional spectrum based on fractals is propo sed. An innovative aspect of the work is the theoretical approach used to g et the 'fractal sea spectrum'. The common spectrum models are described by empirical expressions derived fi om fitting experimental data. Starting fro m a definition of a fractal model of the sea surface, the spatial autocorre lation function is calculated and the directional sea spectrum derived by t aking its two-dimensional Fourier transform. The fractal spectrum explicitl y accounts for the fractality Of the sea. The spectrum theoretically explai ns why its slope in the equilibrium range depends on the fractal dimension D of the sea surface and call be expressed by the relationship 2D - 7, as u sually claimed from experimental data. The spectrum is validated by compari ng it to the common spectra of Pierson-Moskowitz and JONSWAP and to real da ta of the Mediterranean sea. New research directions offered by this spectr um model in SAR remote sensing are addressed.