Laser beam propagation through the ocean's surface

The practicality of communication through the water's surface is explored using values from Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. A series of measurements of absorption and attenuation as a function of frequency were taken in the bay. The resultant values were used to provide input to a numerical ray model of light propagating through the water column, a random surface and to a receiver in the air. Signal to noise ratios were calculated and show that an appropriately designed system is practical.