Turbulence Effects on Open Air Multipaths.
Abstract
The possible effects of turbulence on the maximum usable pathlength of an open air multipath were investigated. Open air multipahts can be used in conjunction with scanning optical sources to measure trace gases along open air optical paths for field testing of military electro-optical systems including high energy lasers. Turbulence was found to be the major source of system degradation for an open air optical multipath. The effects of turbulence on beam spreading as a function of position along the multipath were measured. Multipath optics image and diffuse the input beam in a beam conserving fashion in producing the multipath. Turbulence has its strongest degrading effects on the diffused beams in the multipaths, thus open air multipaths would require turbulence shielding of this portion of the optical path to be effectively used, especially during high daytime turbulence levels. Such systems can, however, be easily used in enclosed building environments without any path shielding.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA101056
Entities
People
- Kenneth O. White
- Laura J. Crow
- Wendell R. Watkins
Organizations
- Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory