Abstract
The optical path length from a satellite to the earth's surface is strongly dependent on the atmospheric pressure along the propagation path. Surface pressure can be measured by using a two-color laser altimeter to observe the change with wavelength in the optical path length from a satellite to the ocean surface. The statistical characteristics of the ocean-reflected pulses and the expected measurement accuracy are evaluated in terms of the altimeter parameters. The results indicate that a pressure accuracy of a few millibars is feasible.
© 1983 Optical Society of America
Full Article | PDF ArticleMore Like This
James B. Abshire and James E. Kalshoven
Appl. Opt. 22(17) 2578-2585 (1983)
C. S. Gardner
Appl. Opt. 18(18) 3184-3189 (1979)
James B. Abshire and Jan F. McGarry
Appl. Opt. 26(7) 1304-1311 (1987)