Measurements of the Parameters Involved in the Theory of Radio Scattering in the Troposphere

Abstract

Booker and Gordon have recently proposed a theory of radio scattering in the troposphere. Using atmospheric inhomogeneities in refractive index, the scattered power was shown to be a function of the intensity and scale of the existing turbulent variations. Lacking experimental data on the nature of the refractive index variations which may be present in the atmosphere, they predicted the magnitude of refractive index changes on the basis of limited temperature fluctuation measurements. Measurements have been made of refractive index and associated temperature fluctuations by the Electrical Engineering Research Laboratory of The University of Texas since 1948 with a somewhat detailed study being made from 10 inches to 50 feet above the ground since December, 1949. This paper includes a brief discussion of the recording refractometer and recording thermometer used for these studies, a meteorological analysis of the problem, and tracings of the refractive index and temperature fluctuations for several various conditions of the lower atmosphere.