Abstract

The unique property of the theoretical formula for the angular spectrum of a point source seen through a turbulent medium is that it is related in simple closed form to the integrated structure function of the turbulence. It therefore provides a reliable measure of the state of turbulence. Rudimentary measurements over a 5 km path show a remarkable confirmation, over a range 1000:1 in intensity, of the Kolmogoroff two-thirds law, and of the underlying theory of wave propagation through a turbulent medium.

© 1977 Optical Society of America

Detection and Resolution of Incoherent Objects Seen through a Turbulent Medium*

Carl W. Helstrom
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 59(3) 331-341 (1969)

Simultaneous measurements of angular scattering and intensity scintillation in the atmosphere

W. A. Coles and R. G. Frehlich
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 72(8) 1042-1048 (1982)

Behavior of focused beams in atmospheric turbulence: Measurements and comments on the theory*

James A. Dowling and Peter M. Livingston
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 63(7) 846-858 (1973)

Mutual coherence function and frequency spectrum of a laser beam propagating through atmospheric turbulence

Ronald L. Fante
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 64(5) 592-598 (1974)

Measuring the power-law exponent of an atmospheric turbulence phase power spectrum with a Shack–Hartmann wave-front sensor

Changhui Rao, Wenhan Jiang, and Ning Ling
Opt. Lett. 24(15) 1008-1010 (1999)