Mid-infrared free-space optical link at 10.6 μm

A prototype of a Mid-IR free-space optical link at 10.6 μm over an 800-m atmospheric path is reported. Atmospheric propagation channel data are collected and compared to those obtained in the near-IR region using a commercial free-space optical link at 1.55 μm. Data from a case study of moderate fog highlights that Mid-IR link performs better than Near-IR.