A Review of Atmospheric Transmission Information in the Optical and Microwave Spectral Regions

Abstract

Much information has been generated over a long period of time on the transmission through the atmosphere of radiation of various wavelengths. This report represents an attempt to consolidate some of the available information into a single report. This report addresses five wavelengths each in the optical and microwave regions. Attenuation mechanisms considered are Rayleigh and Mie scattering and absorption by both water vapor and water drops. Atmospheres characterized by visibilities between 0.1 km (fog) and 325 km (clear air) and by rainfalls at rates up to 64 mm/hr are considered. Pertinent formulations and tables are provided to assist in calculating attenuation coefficients characteristic of a wide variety of atmospheres, and the adequacy of the data bases upon which such calculations rest is assessed. A limited amount of information is also provided on the attenuation characteristics of smoke and dust.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1976
Accession Number
ADA035059

Entities

People

  • Alan R. Downs

Organizations

  • Ballistic Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artillery
  • Atmospheric Attenuation
  • Atmospheric Sciences
  • Carbon Dioxide Lasers
  • Diffraction
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Electromagnetic Scattering
  • Infrared Lasers
  • Measurement
  • Meteorology
  • Mie Scattering
  • Physics
  • Radio Communications
  • Rayleigh Scattering
  • Refraction
  • Refractive Index
  • Scattering

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Climatology
  • Microwave Engineering.
  • Theoretical Analysis.