Analytical approximation of the radio refractivity profile in the presence of an evaporation duct

As the evaporation ducting phenomena plays a major role for radar detection in maritime environments, the determination of the vertical refractivity profile within the marine surface layer has motivated numerous studies. Therefore, several “bulk” models have been developed during the past decades. For practical purposes, it can be quite useful to have an analytical approximation of the derived profile. This paper discusses the interest of a recently published analytical expression compared to the original “bulk” profile.