Dependence of the propagation loss in laser ranging systems on the meteorological visibility and target/receiver range

The relationship between meteorological visual range and the propagation loss in laser beams has been studied at wavelengths of 0.6943 ¿m and 1.065 ¿m. For visual ranges of 1¿10 km, the laser propagation loss is found to be compatible with that predicted by existing equations relating extinction coefficient to visual range and wavelength. The inverse-square law relating received signal strength to target/receiver range is confirmed.