Estimates of the influence of meteorological factors on the attenuation of 10.6 μ laser radiation by the water vapor continuum in "clean" atmosphere

The results are given of laboratory measurements of the transmission of CO₂ laser radiation (10.6 μ) by an N₂–H₂O mixture and of He–Ne laser radiation (0.63 μ) by pure water vapor. It is shown that the aerosol contribution to the attenuation of 10.6 μ radiation is slight compared with the molecular absorption, which includes a contribution of water vapor dimers. An empirical formula, based on the results of laboratory experiments, is used to calculate the vertical optical thickness of the atmosphere. A comparison of the values of this thickness with those deduced from experiments in nature confirms that in calculations of this kind it is important to allow for the real atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles.