Estimates of the Refractive Index and Regular Refraction of Optical Waves in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer: Part 2, Laser Beam Refraction

Abstract

Possible displacements of laser beams in the atmospheric boundary layer under the effect of regular refraction are calculated. The case where a radiation source is located at the level of underlying surface is considered. The displacements are estimated for different wavelengths and angles of the beam entrance into the atmosphere. The calculations are based on experimental data on the optical refractive index up to an altitude of 1000 m received in long-term (1 year) measurements of the vertical air temperature profiles with a MTP-5 meteorological temperature profiler.