Propagation of Multiwavelength Laser Radiation through Atmospheric Turbulence
Abstract
A complete theory is presented for the statistical effects of atmospheric turbulence on coherent radiation reflected from a diffuse target. This study, which is motivated by the need to understand speckle and scintillation effects on the operation of coherent adaptive optical transmitter (COAT) systems, constitutes a significant advance in the field of turbulence scattering phenomena. Both phase and amplitude perturbations are taken into account, and the analysis includes multiple scattering (saturation) conditions and finite receiver apertures. The development is free from certain restrictive assumptions employed in previous work, and yields results for the variance and covariance of irradiance which lead to clear physical insight. It is found that the covariance comprises two additive terms which represent respectively: (1) the incoherent scattering mechanism which is independent of source spectral width, and (2) the coherent mechanism related to 'speckles'. A technique is also developed for quantitative numerical predictions using reasonable computer time. Results from an ongoing program of experimental verification are given which support the theory.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA036503
Entities
People
- J. Fred Holmes
- J. Richard Kerr
- Michael E. Fossey
- Myung H. Lee
- Richard A. Elliott