Abstract

We have developed a physically based extension of the first-order perturbation theory of optical scintillation that accounts for the observed variance and covariance of the amplitude fluctuations in strong integrated turbulence. We use this model to analyze the experimentally observed changes in the operation of our laser wind sensor. The theory suggests a transmitter–receiver configuration that can nearly eliminate the performance-degrading effects of strong turbulence. Based on this analysis, we have developed a saturation-resistant optical wind sensor that maintains its calibration and wind-weighting function throughout the observed range of integrated-turbulence values.

© 1976 Optical Society of America

Finite aperture optical scintillometer for profiling wind and Cn2

G. R. Ochs and Ting-i Wang
Appl. Opt. 17(23) 3774-3778 (1978)

Optical wind sensing by observing the scintillations of a random scene

S. F. Clifford, G. R. Ochs, and T-i. Wang
Appl. Opt. 14(12) 2844-2850 (1975)

Use of Scintillations to Measure Average Wind Across a Light Beam

R. S. Lawrence, G. R. Ochs, and S. F. Clifford
Appl. Opt. 11(2) 239-243 (1972)

Wind and Refractive-Turbulence Sensing Using Crossed Laser Beams

Ting-i Wang, S. F. Clifford, and G. R. Ochs
Appl. Opt. 13(11) 2602-2608 (1974)

A saturation-resistant optical scintillometer to measure Cn2†

Ting-i Wang, G. R. Ochs, and S. F. Clifford
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 68(3) 334-338 (1978)