Empirical modeling of laser propagation effects in intermediate turbulence

David H. Tofsted

doi:10.1117/12.46578

1 July 1991 Empirical modeling of laser propagation effects in intermediate turbulence

David H. Tofsted

Proceedings Volume 1487, Propagation Engineering: Fourth in a Series; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.46578
Event: Orlando '91, 1991, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Low energy laser propagation through moderate turbulence is considered. Propagation of lasers through the surface boundary layer at ranges greater than a kilometer for visible wavelengths often involves intermediate level turbulence effects. Although propagation through weak turbulence is described through a series of integral equations and propagation through strong turbulence is understood in the asymptotic theory, propagation through intermediate level turbulence is usually described through heuristic theories. In this paper, techniques are described to simulate beam spread, wander, scintillation saturation, aperture- averaging, and an aperture-averaged scintillation distribution. Inner-scale effects are discussed throughout. Hill and Clifford theory is parameterized and adjusted to obtain an irradiance variance saturation curve that compares well with measured data of Coles and Frehlich, and Churnside. An empirical aperture-averaging curve compared well with intermediate turbulence data collected by Churnside.

Citation Download Citation

David H. Tofsted "Empirical modeling of laser propagation effects in intermediate turbulence", Proc. SPIE 1487, Propagation Engineering: Fourth in a Series, (1 July 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.46578

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