Open AccessStatistical analysis of cloud-cover mitigation of optical turbulence in the boundary layer
Author(s) -
Michael J. Curley,
Burl H. Peterson,
J C Wang,
Sergey S. Sarkisov,
George Edlin,
Ronald Snow,
John F. Rushing
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.14.008929
Subject(s) - scintillometer , refractive index , optics , cloud cover , turbulence , atmospheric optics , boundary layer , constant (computer programming) , planetary boundary layer , momentum (technical analysis) , physics , meteorology , computational physics , materials science , mechanics , cloud computing , atmospheric turbulence , finance , computer science , economics , programming language , operating system
One atmospheric phenomenon that adversely affects laser propagation is optical turbulence. From ten months of observation, the refractive index structure constant in the atmospheric boundary layer was found to be significantly reduced under widespread cloudy conditions. The refractive index structure constant (C(n) (2)) depends upon the turbulent flux of momentum, sensible and latent heat. The intensity of a propagating laser beam will not be degraded nearly as much as would be expected under clear or lightly scattered cloud conditions. New experimental data are presented that support this hypothesis. The refractive index structure constant was measured for various cloud-cover conditions.