Atmospheric fluctuation induced laser ranging jitter

摘要

We are presenting experimental data on atmospheric fluctuations measurements and their influence on laser ranging precision. Three independent path configurations have been studied: 4.3-kilometer horizontal path, slant path at elevation 10-80 degrees and slant path from ground to space. The laser ranging has been performed using the satellite laser ranging system in Graz, Austria. The system precision is 6 picoseconds (single shot RMS) and the measurement repetition rate is 2 kHz. That enables us to monitor fast fluctuations with period of the order of milliseconds. The atmospheric seeing conditions have been measured simultaneously. We have identified and measured contribution of the atmospheric fluctuations to the ranging precision and time spectrum of these fluctuations for the first time.