Abstract
The independent-scatterer K -distribution model, which has been introduced to describe a variety of scattering situations, is extended to include the effects of correlation between scatterers and finite illumination size. A model in which the array of scatterers is represented by a Γ -lorentzian cross-section fluctuation is proposed. In the appropriate limits this reduces to the independent K -distribution model. Following scattering by the Γ -lorentzian surface, the autocorrelation function and moments of the detected intensity for radiation of arbitrary beamwidth and wavefront curvature are derived. The results are compared with the predictions of the independent K -distribution model and the implications of the differences, which reflect the fact that the independent model cannot represent spatial averaging over the correlations within the surface, are discussed.

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