Abstract

We present the results of measurements of the optical phase variations on a short line-of-sight path through the turbulent atmosphere. A helium–neon laser (6328 Å) propagates along a folded 50-m path that is one arm of a Michelson interferometer, and its interference fringes are observed. A measured time-lagged structure function, found by using Taylor’s hypothesis, compares well with the theoretical predictions of Tatarski for a broad range of effective separations, in contrast with earlier observations. Simultaneous measurements of C_n² are made to facilitate comparison with theory. Values of the outer scale, deduced from temperature measurements at a different time at the same location, indicate excellent agreement with the spacing corresponding to the knee of the observed phase structure function, a result predicted by Tatarski’s theory and not previously observed.

© 1970 Optical Society of America

Determination of Atmospherically Induced Phase Fluctuations by Long–Distance Interferometry at 6328 Å*

R. G. Buser and G. K. Born
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 60(8) 1079-1084 (1970)

Phase Variations in Atmospheric Optical Propagation

S. F. Clifford, G. M. B. Bouricius, G. R. Ochs, and Margot H. Ackley
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 61(10) 1279-1284 (1971)

Rainfall-induced optical phase fluctuations in the atmosphere

H. T. Yura, K. G. Barthel, and W. Büchtemann
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 73(11) 1574-1580 (1983)

Light Propagation through a Turbulent Atmosphere: Measurements of the Optical-Filter Function*

Peter M. Livingston, Paul H. Deitz, and Ernest C. Alcaraz
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 60(7) 925-935 (1970)

Interferometric Technique for Measuring the Spatial-Correlation Function of Optical Radiation Fields*

Harry W. Wessely and Jon O. Bolstad
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 60(5) 678-682 (1970)