Propagation of Centimeter, Millimeter, and Sub-Millimeter Waves in the Earth'S Atmosphere

摘要

The article reviews the present state of knowledge concerning the propagation of microwaves in the earth's atmosphere. The effect of water vapor dimers and monomers as well as molecular oxygen are examined as they contribute to the total absorption coefficient. Three forms of the spectral lines are contrasted, namely that proposed by Lorentz, that proposed by Van Vleck and Weiskopf, and the form obtained from a solution of the kinetic equation. Natural atmospheric wave-guides are discussed briefly indicating why it is impractical to use them for communications. (Author)