Laser sensing of atmospheric turbulence

摘要

An experimental validation of the differential image motion (DIM) lidar concept for measuring C_n~2 is reviewed. The field validation was performed by building a hard-target analog of the DIM lidar and testing it against a conventional scintillometer on a 300 m horizontal path, throughout a range of turbulence conditions. The test results supported the concept and confirmed that the structure characteristic C_n~2 can be accurately measured with this method. A practical method is described for extending the validation technique to vertical profiles of C_n~2.