Propagation through Atmospheric Optical Turbulence

Beland, Robert R., Air Force Research Lab.

doi:10.1117/3.2543821.ch2

Book: The Infrared & Electro-Optical Systems Handbook, Vol. 2: Atmospheric Propagation of Radiation

Editor(s): Frederick G. Smith

Author(s): Robert Beland

Published: 1993

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.2543821.ch2

Author Affiliations +

Abstract

In this chapter, the theory of optical turbulence in the atmosphere is reviewed. The propagation through turbulence by optical and infrared radiation also is treated. The focus is on "small" -scale atmospheric turbulence, where "small" is used in the sense of micrometeorology. No consideration is given to the "large" -scale atmospheric turbulence that is associated with large-scale flow, such as the meridional flow from the equator to the poles or synoptic meteorology. Our interest is in the characterization of optical paths. As will be seen, the index of refraction structure parameter along the path emerges as the critical parameter in characterizing the effects of the atmosphere.