Turbulence effects on high energy laser beam propagation in the atmosphere

A simple phenomenological model for the interaction of a high energy laser (HEL) beam with atmospheric turbulence is presented. According to this model the temperature power spectrum becomes non-Kolmogorov. The refractive index structure constant C(2)(n) is replaced by another quantity C(2)(n,eff) w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied optics (2004) 1990-07, Vol.29 (21), p.3088-3095
Main Author: Yahel, R Z
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:A simple phenomenological model for the interaction of a high energy laser (HEL) beam with atmospheric turbulence is presented. According to this model the temperature power spectrum becomes non-Kolmogorov. The refractive index structure constant C(2)(n) is replaced by another quantity C(2)(n,eff) which is space dependent, C(2)(n,eff) = C(2)(n) (1 + mid R:nablaT/ partial differentialtheta / partial differentialzmid R:(2)) (provided ( partial differentialtheta )/( partial differentialz) not equal 0). Here DeltaT is the local temperature gradient in the crosswind direction, while ( partial differentialtheta )/( partial differentialz) is the vertical potential temperature gradient in the atmosphere. Numerical simulations of HEL beam propagation were performed including effects of this model. Implications of the results are discussed.
ISSN:1559-128X
DOI:10.1364/AO.29.003088