Experiment to characterize optical turbulence along a 2.33 km free-space laser path via differential image motion measurements

Arnold Tunick

doi:10.1117/12.823969

12 August 2009 Experiment to characterize optical turbulence along a 2.33 km free-space laser path via differential image motion measurements

Arnold Tunick

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7463, Atmospheric Optics: Models, Measurements, and Target-in-the-Loop Propagation III; 746303 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.823969
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

In a previous experiment (Tunick, 2008: Optics Express 16, 14645-14654), values for the refractive index structure constant and the Fried parameter were calculated from measurements of signal intensity and angle-of-arrival statistics based on idealized models. Calculated turbulence parameters were evaluated in comparison to scintillometer-based measurements for several cases. It was found that the idealized models alone were insufficient to accurately describe complex, non-uniform microclimate and turbulence conditions. In addition, the signal intensity and focal spot displacement measurements were quite sensitive to platform and light source jitter. In order to compensate for adverse effects such as platform vibrations, an alternative differential image motion method is explored for optical turbulence parameter characterization. Hence, further experimental research is conducted along a 2.33 km free-space laser path to capture differential image centroid data from which Fried parameter and refractive index structure constant information can be obtained. This research is intended to provide useful information for US Army laser communications, long-range imaging and energy-on-target.

Citation Download Citation

Arnold Tunick "Experiment to characterize optical turbulence along a 2.33 km free-space laser path via differential image motion measurements", Proc. SPIE 7463, Atmospheric Optics: Models, Measurements, and Target-in-the-Loop Propagation III, 746303 (12 August 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.823969

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