Optical path-length fluctuations across a plume of heated air are investigated by various interferometric techniques. Real-time data processing yields spatial and temporal structure functions as well as histograms of optical phase differences. Histograms obtained over a large range of beam separations and beam heights above the heater show an excellent agreement with the class of one-dimensional K distributions. The dependence of the distribution parameters on the probe-beam separation agrees well with a simple empirical model based on four parameters: mean number and mean strength of turbulent eddies and inner and outer eddy scales. The model permits a correct prediction of the averaged intensity in the far field of the screen. Some characteristics of higher-intensity moments can be reproduced by a facet model based on K-distributed phase gradients.

© 1983 Optical Society of America

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Citation lists with outbound citation links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription