Abstract

Observations of the atmospheric effects on a laser beam over a unique path are discussed. The path is 80 km long and 1.3 km above the surface. Correlations are discussed between temperature lapse rate at the path level and the spreading and deflection of the beam. Beam deflection and beam spread are found to be generally consistent with results obtained by others over lower and shorter paths. Diurnal movements of the beam are not nearly as noticeable, and on one occasion a remarkable degree of collimation occurred that lasted for several hours.

© 1973 Optical Society of America

Slant-Path Scintillation in the Planetary Boundary Layer

Walter F. Dabberdt
Appl. Opt. 12(7) 1536-1543 (1973)

Airborne laser-beam scintillation measurements at high altitudes*

Glen J. Morris
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 63(3) 263-270 (1973)

Comparison of Vertical Profile Turbulence Structure with Stellar Observations

Jack L. Bufton
Appl. Opt. 12(8) 1785-1793 (1973)

Absorption Saturation Effects on High-Power CO₂ Laser Beam Transmission

David C. Pridmore-Brown
Appl. Opt. 12(9) 2188-2191 (1973)

Scintillation and transmitter-aperture averaging over vertical paths*

P. J. Titterton
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 63(4) 439-444 (1973)