Improve Understanding and Characterization of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer using Refractive Index Structure Parameter
Abstract
The electro-optical (EO) band encompasses visible light and infrared radiation. The optical effects of atmospheric turbulence, known as optical turbulence, are caused by random fluctuations in the refractive index. These fluctuations arise from processes such as wind shear and buoyancy. The ABL, characterized by wind shear, surface heating, and cloud formation, significantly influences EM/EO wave propagations. The propagations of EM/EO waves are strongly influenced by small‐scale fluctuations in ABL, where wind shear, surface heating, and cloud formation are persistent sources of turbulence variability. Atmospheric turbulence information is critical to understanding and modeling its effects on EM/EO propagation. The refractive index structure parameter, Cn2, is an important parameter for quantifying the effects of atmospheric turbulence. Knowing Cn2 for a specific frequency and meteorological environment allows for quantifying optical scintillation. NPS has led several crucial field campaigns for measuring the BL over the land and coastal oceanic regions. Her research group also been using the Navy regional operational prediction system, coupled atmospheric and ocean mesoscale prediction system COAMPS in the single column mode (SCM). Recently, they have improved the COAMPS SCM capability by incorporating a nudging strategy (SCM_N) and used it for characterizing the boundary layer in previous field experiments such as CASPER. This proposed research is aimed to collaborate with Prof Wang’s group for evaluating and improving the SCM_N system and applied it using a broad range of inputs in various ABL conditions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 04, 2023
- Source ID
- N002442320004
Entities
People
- Melinda Peng
Organizations
- United States Navy
- University of Colorado, at Colorado Springs