Vol. 16, issue 08, article # 4
pdf Rezunkov Yu. A., Vorob'ev V. V., Kan V., Osipov V. M., Sheremeteva T. A. Estimations of the effects of the middle atmosphere on the transmission of a high-power laser beam. Part 2. Beam distortions caused by isotropic and stratified inhomogeneities . // Atmospheric and oceanic optics. 2003. V. 16. No. 08. P. 640-648.Copy the reference to clipboard
Abstract:
The effect of isotropic and anisotropic components of a random field of the refractive index on beam propagation is analyzed. To estimate the effect of isotropic component, the Kolmogorov turbulence model is used for altitudes between 10 and 20 km, and for altitudes of 20 to 50 km we use a two-component model of the 3D spectrum of refractive index fluctuations in the stratosphere developed based on occultation observations of stellar scintillations from orbiting stations. The effect of inhomogeneities on laser beam parameters is estimated analytically. The estimates obtained show that Kolmogorov turbulence is one of the major factors restricting the possibilities of Laser Orbital Transfer Vehicle (LOTV) concept. Propagation of laser radiation is simulated numerically for preset paths with the use of phase screen models. For numerical simulation of phase screens, the method of modeling stochastic fields with a wide spatial spectrum of inhomogeneities is applied.