4
1 - Data pre-processing : calibration and intercalibration, algorithm for atmospheric corrections,
standardisation of data, topographic effects;
2 - High spectral resolution in the solar spectrum : bio-geo-chemical applications, atmospheric effects;
3 - Active microwaves : polarimetric and multifrequency physical measurements, interferometry;
4 - Passive microwaves : polarimetric and multifrequency physical measurements;
5 - Optical domain : Polarimetric and directional effects;
6 - Thermal infrared : emissivity-temperature decoupling, modelling the thermal behaviour of natural
surfaces;
7 - Laser active remote sensing and fluorescence;
8 - Use of remote sensing data : assimilation into models, spatial and temporal approaches, synergy
between different observation methods.
Plenary and poster presentations corresponding to these different scientific topics were complemented by two
evening sessions organised on the following subjects :
9 - Future systems and projects for Earth observation;
10 - The large international remote sensing programmes : association of physical measurement models and
models representing the processes of the biosphere.
The Symposium was coupled with an exhibition of equipment for radiometric and related ground truth
measurements. Currently equipment available sold and prototypes (multiband thermal infrared radiometer,
portable spectral imaging system, lidar for the remote determination of plant chlorophyll fluorescence) were
presented. There was also a presentation of recently published scientific books in the field of remote sensing.
In this book, the contributions presented in both plenary and poster sessions are arranged with respect to the
selected scientific topics. For each topic, the first papers are those presented in plenary session. They are
followed by the poster papers ranked in the alphabetical order, using the name of the first author. The general
conclusions, presented on 21st January in the morning session, are placed at the end of the proceedings.
Troughthe years, the Symposium on Physical Measurements and Signatures in Remote Sensing has become one
of the major international scientific meeting dealing with basic research in remote sensing. The three year interval
between two successive meeting enable the different participating teams to make progress and the new results
presented offer a good survey of progress in research in the domain of remote sensing applied to the study of
Earth resources.
The Symposium organised in January in a winter sport resort is a good way for gathering research scientists in a
closed area and to further exchanges and discussions. This Symposium has therefore acquired its own style that
is particularly appreciated by the participants. They have insisted on a new symposium being organised within
two or three years but with a number of participants limited to 200 to 250 in order to maintain its conviviality.
To conclude this introduction, I want to thank particularly the participants who have contributed to constructive
discussions, and the members of the International Scientific Committee who have prepared an attractive scientific
programme. But if the Symposium took place in Val d'Isère in excellent conditions, we must thank CNES,
NASA, CNRS, INRA, for their material and financial support. It is also due to the efforts made by the members
of the Organising Committee, the company Carte Blanche and the team of the Centre de Congrès Henri Oreiller.
Many thanks to all of them.
