Abstract

A nadir-pointing Nd:YAG laser, operating at the fundamental wavelength and the first and second harmonic wavelengths, is assumed to be in a low earth orbit ~400 km above the surface of the earth. The laser output is characterized by a pulse repetition frequency of 10 Hz, a pulse width of 0.1 μs, a divergence angle of 1.5 mrad and a variable power level. The intensity of radiation is computed as a function of altitude and laser output power using multiple scattering methods applied to an inhomogeneous planetary atmosphere. The atmospheric gas composition and concentration, turbulence, and particle concentration are treated as functions of altitude. Various $C_n^2$ profiles are used to compute the effects of turbulence over the vertical propagation path from the top of the atmosphere to ground level.

© 1986 Optical Society of America