Dual-beam atmospheric turbulence measurement system performance as a high-altitude turbulence scale size sensor

Qui estendiamo un metodo, sviluppato da Consortini e collaboratori all'Università di Firenze, per la misura dei parametri della turbolenza atmosferica. L'estensione permette di superare alcune delle limitazioni all'utilizzo pratico della teoria. Usando questa teoria estesa, si discute la possibilità di usare il metodo per misurare le scale della turbolenza nell'alta atmosfera. Si riportano anche risultati sperimentali ottenuti nei laboratori USA. Uses of lidars, ground based radar and intrusive techniques have all had limitations in their ability to measure the more fundamental atmospheric properties. Of the several physical atmospheric properties that can be quantified, the inner and outer scale sizes associated with the index of refraction, and hence the other atmospheric properties, are of high interest in the prediction of the performance of various adaptive optical sensors. In this paper, we will discuss a method based on a thin beam optical system to measure the inner and outer scales size that overcomes some of the limitations and assumptions in previous techniques. Based on research originally conducted at the University of Florence, we have extended the theory to optically thin layers that can account for real world design effects. Using this theory the paper will discuss the feasibility of using the technique to measure turbulence scale sizes in the upper atmosphere. Data from laboratory measurements are shown.