Howard A Zebker

Title: Innovations of Howard A Zebker

Introduction

Howard A Zebker is a prominent inventor based in Altadena, California. He has made significant contributions to the field of geophysical measurements through his innovative techniques. With a total of 3 patents, Zebker's work focuses on advanced methods for detecting surface motions and mapping terrestrial changes.

Latest Patents

Zebker's latest patents include a method for detecting surface motions and mapping small terrestrial deformations. This technique utilizes synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry to measure very small surface deformations, achieving a resolution of 10 meters over large areas of up to 50 kilometers. The method is particularly useful for accurately measuring various geophysical phenomena, such as swelling and buckling in fault zones, as well as displacements resulting from seismic events and prevolcanic activity. The process involves creating two SAR images of a scene using spaced antennas, followed by the generation of a difference interferogram. By analyzing the unwrapped phases of the pixels, surface motion or deformation changes can be observed. A second interferogram is created from a different pair of images, allowing for the detection of changes in line of sight position. This innovative approach enables the recovery of lateral motions by resolving observations into their vector components. Additionally, Zebker has developed methods for data volume reduction in imaging radar polarimetry, utilizing scattering or Stokes matrices to produce averaged data for synthetic polarization images.

Career Highlights

Zebker's career is marked by his dedication to advancing geophysical measurement techniques. His work has been instrumental in enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of surface deformation detection. He is affiliated with the United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Zebker has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Richard M Goldstein and Daniel N Held. These collaborations have further enriched his research and contributed to the development of innovative solutions in the field.

Conclusion

Howard A Zebker's contributions to the field of geophysical measurements through his innovative patents demonstrate his commitment to advancing scientific understanding. His work continues to have a significant impact on the study of surface motions and deformations.