Spectral Transmission of Light through Seawater

Abstract

Proper design of a Lidar system for use in undersea warfare requires knowledge of the spectral transmission characteristics of seawater in the selection of laser wavelengths. In 1968 and 1974, N. G. Jerlov published spectral transmittance data for ten different types of seawater. In this technical memorandum, Jerlov's data are reworked and converted to graphs of attenuation length and attenuation coefficient as a functions of wavelength to permit interpolation of these functions for candidate Lidar wavelengths of 455, 486, 517, and 532 nm. For the clearest waters (Jerlov types I, IA, IB, and II) the two shorter wavelengths are preferred. The more turbid waters are somewhat more transparent at the longer wavelengths.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 15, 1992
Accession Number
AD1012965

Entities

People

  • Paul M. Moser

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Attenuation
  • Coefficients
  • Contracts
  • Interpolation
  • Materials
  • Naval Warfare
  • New York
  • North America
  • Oceans
  • Organic Materials
  • Sea Water
  • Surface Waters
  • Transmittance
  • Undersea Warfare
  • Warfare
  • Water

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers