Some Preliminary Measurements on the Transmission of Light Signals from a Submarine to an Aircraft.
Abstract
How refraction at the sea surface would affect the peripherally detected light rays and the light-pulse beam is shown. Had the sea been perfectly smooth, the peripherally detected rays emitted upward from the submerged transmitter would have been incident at the sea surface at an angle of about 41 degrees. This angle is very close to the critical angle of approximately 48 degrees for sea water where all the light would have been reflected back into the sea. The procedure followed, and the difficulties encountered, in coordinating the movements of the submarine and the aircraft are discussed. Possible improvements of both the experimental procedure and the equipment are suggested. One major source of experimental error might be eliminated by having the position of the submerged submarine defined by a light so that positive visual location by the aircraft pilot could be assured.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 19, 1957
- Accession Number
- AD0509730
Entities
People
- G. L. Stamm
- W. S. Plymale Jr.
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory