The Constants in the Equation for Atmospheric Refractive Index at Radio Frequencies

Abstract

Recent improvements in microwave techniques have resulted in precise measurements which indicate that the conventional constants K1 = 79°K/mb and K₂′=4,800°K in the expression for the refractivity of air, N=(n-1) 106=[K1/T](p+ K2'e/T) should be revised. Various laboratories appear to have arrived at this conclusion independently. In much of radio propagation work the absolute value of the refractive index of the atmosphere is of small moment. However, in some work it is important and it seems highly desirable to decide upon a particular set of constants. Through consideration of the various recent experiments this paper arrives at a relation 77.6 e N = ~ p + 4,810-T T where p=total pressure in millibars e=partial pressure of water vapor in millibars T=absolute temperature=°C+273 This expression is considered to be good to 0.5 per cent in N for frequencies up to 30,000 mc and normally encountered ranges of temperatures, pressure and humidity.