Diffraction of optical radiation by a reflecting disk in a turbulent atmosphere

The influence of atmospheric turbulence on the average back-scattering cross section of a diffraction target in the form of a reflecting disk is investigated for horizontal and inclined paths in the atmosphere. It is shown that the atmospheric turbulence must be allowed for in estimating the average power of a signal reflected by a large diffraction target. A calculation is given of the dimensions of the disk necessary to obtain a signal which is stronger in the case of specular reflection from the disk than in the case of diffuse reflection.