Abstract

Experimental values of atmospherically induced phase fluctuations have been obtained for various path lengths, using a near-ground horizontal Mach–Zehnder setup at 6328 Å. Independent determination of the structure–function constant of the refractive index C_n and other relevant parameters permitted a clear definition of prevailing meteorological conditions. For low turbulence, or strong turbulence and short path length, Tatarski’s theory generally underestimates the values of the observed rms phase fluctuations. For higher turbulence, no continuous phase information is directly obtainable, and the concept of phase structure function becomes experimentally undefined.

© 1970 Optical Society of America

Experimental Study of Atmospherically Induced Phase Fluctuations in an Optical Signal

G. M. B. Bouricius and S. F. Clifford
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 60(11) 1484-1489 (1970)

Light Propagation through a Turbulent Atmosphere: Measurements of the Optical-Filter Function*

Peter M. Livingston, Paul H. Deitz, and Ernest C. Alcaraz
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 60(7) 925-935 (1970)

Interferometric Determination of the Distance Dependence of the Phase Structure Function for Near-Ground Horizontal Propagation at 6328 Å

R. G. Buser
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 61(4) 488-491 (1971)

Interferometric Technique for Measuring the Spatial-Correlation Function of Optical Radiation Fields*

Harry W. Wessely and Jon O. Bolstad
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 60(5) 678-682 (1970)

Saturation of Scintillation Magnitude in Near-Earth Optical Propagation*

Paul H. Deitz and Neal J. Wright
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 59(5) 527-535 (1969)