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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2571-2577 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Applied Optics |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 17 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 1983 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Engineering (miscellaneous)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering