New consideration of atmospheric refraction in laser ranging data

In this paper we reconsider the formulae of tropospheric refraction correct ion for the Satellite Laser Range technique. From the expansion of the comp lementary error function, a new continued fraction form of the mapping func tion at optical frequencies is derived. The correction terms related to the operation frequency of the laser beam are considered in both the zenith de lay and the mapping function, The correction for low-elevation satellites i s briefly reviewed. The theoretical accuracy of the new mapping function ha s been analysed via the ray tracing integrals under the standard atmospheri c profile. With respect to the radiosonde data, the deviations of the new m apping function are investigated in an elevation range down to near 1 degre es, which is comparable with the results of the Marini-Murray formulae.