Analytical Expression of the Refractivity Profile. Subrefraction and Optical Cases

The vertical refractivity profile within the Marine Surface Layer is a key parameter to predict the performances of detection sensors (Radars as well as ElectroOptical devices). For practical purposes, it could appear very useful to describe the refractivity profile with an analytical expression. Recently, a new equation, developed for radar applications, was successfully used to approximate the refractivity profiles computed by a physical bulk model. In this paper, we extend the analytical formulation to the optical cases dominated by subrefraction situations. Using a ray tracing algorithm and experimental data related to mirage effects, our paper shows that the physical bulk profiles and the fitted analytical ones give very similar results.