Prospects for laser remote sensing of Cn2

Gary G. Gimmestad; Mikhail S. Belen'kii

doi:10.1117/12.211959

15 June 1995 Prospects for laser remote sensing of C_n²

Proceedings Volume 2471, Atmospheric Propagation and Remote Sensing IV; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.211959
Event: SPIE's 1995 Symposium on OE/Aerospace Sensing and Dual Use Photonics, 1995, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

There is currently no active, single-ended optical technique for remotely sensing the refractive index structure characteristic C_n² in the turbulent atmosphere. A capability to remotely measure C_n² is needed in several areas. In astronomy, the vertical profile C_n²(h) is required in order to understand and improve the performance of adaptive optics systems, and measurements of C_n² in arbitrary directions above fixed points on the ground would be useful in site surveys. Researchers in basic atmospheric physics need an optical technique because it would be sensitive to temperature fluctuations only and not water vapor fluctuations, unlike the radar and acoustic sounders which are currently used. Understanding laser beam degradation, for communications, power beaming, or weapon system development, also requires a knowledge of C_n². An optical remote sensor for C_n² could also be used for horizontal, path-averaged measurements, to infer fluxes of heat and momentum over land or sea surfaces. We have recently proposed three different lidar-type techniques for remote sensing of C_n², based on the following phenomena: enhanced backscattering, residual turbulent scintillation, and image distortion. Each of these techniques is reviewed here in terms of its advantages and disadvantages for various applications, and some considerations for practical systems are also discussed.

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Gary G. Gimmestad and Mikhail S. Belen'kii "Prospects for laser remote sensing of C_n²", Proc. SPIE 2471, Atmospheric Propagation and Remote Sensing IV, (15 June 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.211959

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