Open AccessThe Aggregate behavior of branch points - measuring the number and velocity of atmospheric turbulence layers
Author(s) -
Denis W. Oesch,
Darryl J. Sanchez,
Charles L. Matson
Publication year - 2010
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.18.022377
Subject(s) - turbulence , atmospheric turbulence , optics , physics , amplitude , robustness (evolution) , atmospheric optics , clear air turbulence , interference (communication) , noise (video) , k epsilon turbulence model , computational physics , meteorology , telecommunications , computer science , biochemistry , chemistry , channel (broadcasting) , artificial intelligence , image (mathematics) , gene
Optical waves propagating through atmospheric turbulence develop spatial and temporal variations in their phase. For sufficiently strong turbulence, these phase differences can lead to interference in the propagating wave and the formation of branch points; positions of zero amplitude. Under the assumption of a layered turbulence model, we show that these branch points can be used to estimate the number and velocities of atmospheric layers. We describe how to carry out this estimation process and demonstrate its robustness in the presence of sensor noise.