title: Reflection Coefficients for Wires and Cables at 106 mum.
abstract: Measurements are given of the reflectivity coefficient for a variety of wires and cables at 10.6 mum. The results are presented as a function of wire incidence angle for two polarizations, parallel and perpendicular to the samples. The normal incidence reflectivity is very high, ranging from 610% for aluminum wire down to 16.8% for hemp rope in parallel polarization. The perpendicular polarization results are lower by a factor that varied from 5.9 to 2.04. Depolarization by the wires was also determined. The depolarization ratio was found to vary between 17.7% and 1%, being larger for the more irregular samples. The results indicate that a wire avoidance system could be developed for airplanes or helicopters using a scanning 10.6 microm laser and coherent receiver. The power required for such an application is estimated from the data and is found to be relatively low, only 28 W being required to cover a 20 degrees x 90 degrees field in 1 sec.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Brandewie