Estimation of optical turbulence profiles using SCIDAR

J. C. Dainty

doi:10.1117/12.2316166

1 September 1996 Estimation of optical turbulence profiles using SCIDAR

J. C. Dainty

Proceedings Volume 2778, 17th Congress of the International Commission for Optics: Optics for Science and New Technology; 2778D9 (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2316166
Event: 17th Congress of the International Commission for Optics: Optics for Science and New Technology, 1996, Taejon, Korea, Republic of

Abstract

The technique of SCIDAR (SClintillation Detection And Ranging) was first suggested by Rocca et al[1] and has since been developed extensively by Vernin and colleagues[2],[3],[4],[5]. The idea is based upon two premises: (i) that the value of the refractive index structure constant C_n²(h) for a layer of turbulence at altitude h can be estimated from the variance of the scintillation received at the pupil of a telescope, and (ii) that layers can be identified using a triagulation technique based on recording the spatial correlation function of the scintillation from a double star of angular separation α, the height h of the layer being equivalent to the autocorrelation lag δx/α. Because the variance of the scintillation scales as h^5/3, it is not possible to measure C_n²(h) for h=0, i.e. in the pupil itself using SCIDAR. Recently, Fuchs et al [6] have extended the idea to the case where one records scintillation in a plane defocussed from the pupil plane, coining the term Generalised SCIDAR for this case, in which it is now possible to record C_n²(h) in the pupil. By measuring the spatio-temporal correlation for light from a single star, the velocities of the dominant layers can also be estimated.

Citation Download Citation

J. C. Dainty "Estimation of optical turbulence profiles using SCIDAR", Proc. SPIE 2778, 17th Congress of the International Commission for Optics: Optics for Science and New Technology, 2778D9 (1 September 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2316166

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