Measuring turbulence in an extended field of view

Erez N. Ribak

doi:10.1117/12.413817

31 January 2001 Measuring turbulence in an extended field of view

Erez N. Ribak

Proceedings Volume 4167, Atmospheric Propagation, Adaptive Systems, and Laser Radar Technology for Remote Sensing; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.413817
Event: Europto Remote Sensing, 2000, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Adaptive optics is limited toady to correction of turbulence inside a cone extending from the reference source to the telescope aperture. Even when the reference source is a natural star, the measured- and corrected- cylinder does not allow observation of most extended astronomical objects. Hence the search is on for a method to measure turbulence in a conical volume which opens up from the telescope upwards. Various schemes were proposed to widen the field of view by using more artificial or natural guide stars, and by processing the measured data in different ways. It has been shown experimentally that the existence of three natural stars around the rim of the required cone is sufficient. Using multiple laser guide stars, schemes varying from separation of measured volumes and stitching of their edges, to integrated methods were suggested. It was also proposed to infer the turbulence form the shape of the beams as they propagate up in the atmosphere. Structured light above the turbulence is another option that was raised. Such a grid is created by interference of laser beams or by interference of powerful radio beams that break down the air into visible plasma. It can be shown that these fringes, either from a laser of from radio, can be analyzed optically, reducing the power requirements significantly. This field of atmospheric tomography is likely to produce soon corrected images of extended astronomical objects. In addition, being able to separate the contribution of the atmospheric layers, we will acquire better knowledge of atmospheric turbulence.

Citation Download Citation

Erez N. Ribak "Measuring turbulence in an extended field of view", Proc. SPIE 4167, Atmospheric Propagation, Adaptive Systems, and Laser Radar Technology for Remote Sensing, (31 January 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.413817

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