light source continuous (laser) with a specific power (in watts) is used as a wave carrier of information with a communications system, how this power is effected by atmospheric disturbance (for example , increase in temperature and wind speed) ?Is it supposed to be decrease or increase?
hi, Mariam,
The laser, being light will show fall in intensity as one over distance. Apart from that as the particulate matter suspended in the atmosphere increases, it will increase the scattering of the laser light which in effect decrease the intensity reaching your detector. Wind speed will do no harm if it is not carrying any suspended particles or dust. Regarding temperature, as it increases, it will increase the water vapour contain in the atmosphere. The temperature gradient will alter the density of the atmosphere by creating gradients in it. In short temperature changes will alter the Refractive Index of the medium. If light is travelling through such a medium, it is bound to under go scattering in all the direction. Hence the total power received by the detector will be less as compare to the power when the light leaves the source.
Regards
In addition to Amit answer, other atmospheric conditions such as fog, wind, rain, dust can introduce disturbance. The disturbance severity varies depending on the type of the atmospheric condition.
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