Refraction of a laser beam propagating along the surface horizontal path

Viktor A. Banakh; Igor N. Smalikho

doi:10.1117/12.332404

7 December 1998 Refraction of a laser beam propagating along the surface horizontal path

Viktor A. Banakh, Igor N. Smalikho

Proceedings Volume 3494, Atmospheric Propagation, Adaptive Systems, and Lidar Techniques for Remote Sensing II; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.332404
Event: Remote Sensing, 1998, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

In this paper we present the result of calculations of refraction angle for laser beam propagating in the surface layer in dependence on thermal stability of the atmosphere. It is shown that under unstable atmospheric conditions a laser beam can hit to the same point at the receiving plane along two trajectories. It occurs two different refraction angles due to focusing atmospheric lens, which is caused by unstable stratification of temperature. The difference between these trajectories decreases with increasing the turbulent flux of heat. Beginning with the definite critical value of heat flux a laser beam on horizontal path does not hit to the given point. The estimates of maximal length of path between two points where steady optical connection can occur at different atmospheric stability are presented in the paper.

Citation Download Citation

Viktor A. Banakh and Igor N. Smalikho "Refraction of a laser beam propagating along the surface horizontal path", Proc. SPIE 3494, Atmospheric Propagation, Adaptive Systems, and Lidar Techniques for Remote Sensing II, (7 December 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.332404

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