High-resolution C_n² profiling is essential for characterizing atmospheric turbulence, especially when correction of the laser beam propagation. This is can be done by using distributed light sources. One way of doing so can be achieved by using the Rayleigh or Mie laser guide star as a light source. In this case the time-resolved characteristics of the backward scattered pulse can be used to characterize turbulence continuously along the measured range. This report discusses the operational principles of the laser guide-star scintillometer (LAGUSS) and analyses the results of experimental data for profiling the C_n² as a function of the range.

Date Published: 12 August 2009
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 7463, Atmospheric Optics: Models, Measurements, and Target-in-the-Loop Propagation III, 746305 (12 August 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.825519

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7463:
Atmospheric Optics: Models, Measurements, and Target-in-the-Loop Propagation III
Stephen M. Hammel; Alexander M. J. van Eijk; Mikhail A. Vorontsov, Editor(s)