The purpose of this investigation is to extend the capability of statistical modeling for the problem of electromagnetic scattering by random rough surfaces. A majority of prior studies considered the well known Gaussian joint probability density function (pdf), partly because of its mathematical convenience. About 25 years ago, a second pdf called exponential type was introduced and has since been used by several workers in the field. In this thesis it is shown that this exponential-type pdf fails to met an essential statistical requirement. To remedy this situation, an exponential pdf that satisfies all the statistical requirements is derived. The scattering properties of surfaces modeled by this new exponential pdf are then formulated. In the second part of this thesis a user-oriented computer program is developed to create random surfaces whose statistical description is at the will of the user requiring only the input of a monovariate pdf.

Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and disseminated by the Center for Information and Numerical Data Analysis and Synthesis (CINDAS) * at Purdue University in 1 957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dissemination phases of the activity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thought that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of all con cerned if the printing and distribution of the volumes were handled by an interna tional publishing house to assure improved service and broader dissemination. Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Cor poration of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 32 (thesis year 1987) a total of 12,483 theses titles from 22 Canadian and 176 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base for these titles reported will greatly enhance the value of this important annual reference work. While Volume 32 reports theses submitted in 1987, on occasion, certain univer sities do report theses submitted in previous years but not reported at the time.