George A. Hufford and Hans J. Liebe

Abstract: At heights between 30 and 100 km above Earth, the oxygen absorption lines near 60 GHz together with the geomagnetic field cause the atmosphere to become an anisotropic medium. This report discusses why this is so and how to compute the consequent effects. It describes the computer program ZEEMAN, which allows the user to display in either graphical or tabular form many aspects of how radio waves propagate through this medium.

Keywords: millimeter waves; radio propagation; anisotropic media; mesosphere; oxygen absorption lines; polarization; Zeeman effect

Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, components, and software may be identified in this report to specify adequately the technical aspects of the reported results. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, nor does it imply that the equipment or software identified is necessarily the best available for the particular application or uses.

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