The impact of turbulent fluctuations on light propagation in a controlled environment

Silvia Matt; Weilin Hou; Wesley Goode

doi:10.1117/12.2053062

23 May 2014 The impact of turbulent fluctuations on light propagation in a controlled environment

Silvia Matt, Weilin Hou, Wesley Goode

Proceedings Volume 9111, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring VI; 911113 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2053062
Event: SPIE Sensing Technology + Applications, 2014, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

Underwater temperature and salinity microstructure can lead to localized changes in the index of refraction and can be a limiting factor in oceanic environments. This optical turbulence can affect electro-optical (EO) signal transmissions that impact various applications, from diver visibility to active and passive remote sensing. To quantify the scope of the impacts from turbulent flows on EO signal transmission, and to examine and mitigate turbulence effects, we perform experiments in a controlled turbulence environment allowing the variation of turbulence intensity. This controlled turbulence setup is implemented at the Naval Research Laboratory Stennis Space Center (NRLSSC). Convective turbulence is generated in a classical Rayleigh-Benard tank and the turbulent flow is quantified using a state-of-the-art suite of sensors that includes high-resolution Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter profilers and fast thermistor probes. The measurements are complemented by very high- resolution non-hydrostatic numerical simulations. These computational fluid dynamics simulations allow for a more complete characterization of the convective flow in the laboratory tank than would be provided by measurements alone. Optical image degradation in the tank is assessed in relation to turbulence intensity. The unique approach of integrating optical techniques, turbulence measurements and numerical simulations helps advance our understanding of how to mitigate the effects of turbulence impacts on underwater optical signal transmission, as well as of the use of optical techniques to probe oceanic processes.

Citation Download Citation

Silvia Matt, Weilin Hou, and Wesley Goode "The impact of turbulent fluctuations on light propagation in a controlled environment", Proc. SPIE 9111, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring VI, 911113 (23 May 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2053062

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