The pertinent theoretical background and the results of a group of experiments conducted over 0.4- and 1.17-km near-ground horizontal ranges are presented. (1) The log-amplitude variances for HeNe (0.633 μm) and CO2 (10.6 μm) laser beams were found to have a ratio of 26.8, which is in close agreement with the predictions of Rytov-based spherical-wave theory. (2) Published measurements of the saturation level of the log-amplitude variance are reviewed and several inconsistencies noted. (3) The spatial correlation function of irradiance field was measured and found to agree with theory. The degree of correlation between different frequency beams which had traversed the same optical path was also measured and compared to theory. The data exhibited an unacceptably large scatter and did not show the wavelength dependence. (4) The log-normal, Rayleigh, and Rice probability distributions are discussed in terms of their applicability to irradiance statistics. Relatively weak 10.6 μm irradiance fluctuations were found to be equally well described by the log-normal and Rice distributions; strong fluctuations obtained at 0.488 μm were clearly best described by the log-normal distribution.

The pertinent theoretical background and the results of a group of experiments conducted over 0.4- and 1.17-km near-ground horizontal ranges are presented. (1) The log-amplitude variances for HeNe (0.633 μm) and CO2 (10.6 μm) laser beams were found to have a ratio of 26.8, which is in close agreement with the predictions of Rytov-based spherical-wave theory. (2) Published measurements of the saturation level of the log-amplitude variance are reviewed and several inconsistencies noted. (3) The spatial correlation function of irradiance field was measured and found to agree with theory. The degree of correlation between different frequency beams which had traversed the same optical path was also measured and compared to theory. The data exhibited an unacceptably large scatter and did not show the wavelength dependence. (4) The log-normal, Rayleigh, and Rice probability distributions are discussed in terms of their applicability to irradiance statistics. Relatively weak 10.6 μm irradiance fluctuations were found to be equally well described by the log-normal and Rice distributions; strong fluctuations obtained at 0.488 μm were clearly best described by the log-normal distribution.

Lists citations with abstracts for aerospace related reports obtained from world wide sources and announces documents that have recently been entered into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Database.

Renewed interest in laser communication systems has sparked development of useful new analytic models. This book discusses optical scintillation and its impact on system performance in free-space optical communication and laser radar applications, with a detailed look at propagation phenomena and the role of scintillation on system behavior. Intended for practicing engineers, scientists, and students.

The first volume of this set of books on electromagnetic scintillation dealt with phase and angle-of-arrival measurement errors, which are accurately described by geometrical optics. This second volume concentrates on amplitude and intensity fluctuations of the received signal.

The objects of the American Meteorological Society are "the development and dissemination of knowledge of meteorology in all its phases and applications, and the advancement of its professional ideals." The organization of the Society took place in affiliation with the American Association for the Advancement of Science at Saint Louis, Missouri, December 29, 1919, and its incorporation, at Washington, D. C., January 21, 1920. The work of the Society is carried on by the Bulletin, the Journal, and Meteorological Monographs, by papers and discussions at meetings of the Society, through the offices of the Secretary and the Executive Secretary, and by correspondence. All of the Americas are represented in the membership of the Society as well as many foreign countries.