Improving Cn2 calculations during stable conditions using an ultrasonic anemometer

Yaakov Monsa, Mara Baraban

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Atmospheric optical turbulence strength, parametrized by the atmosphere refractive index Cn2, mainly depends on temperature fluctuations. Recently, using ultrasonic anemometers (USAM) for fast temperature measurements has become very attractive since it possesses the advantage of measuring Cn2 by a single-point device rather than along a path. Here, we performed a fundamental experiment with multiple devices measuring Cn2 in parallel, including a scintillometer and USAM at the center of its path on flat and uniform terrain. This campaign reveals that the main challenge for measuring turbulence strength using USAM occurs in meandering stable conditions, where the changes in wind speed and sonic temperature are lower than USAM sensitivity, and the energy budget deviates from the pure Kolmogorov spectrum. A detailed comparison of the scintillometer and USAM results enable us to optimize the calculation of Cn2 from the USAM measurements in meandering stable conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEnvironmental Effects on Light Propagation and Adaptive Systems VI
EditorsKarin Stein, Szymon Gladysz
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510666917
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2023
Externally publishedYes
EventEnvironmental Effects on Light Propagation and Adaptive Systems VI 2023 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
Duration: 5 Sep 20236 Sep 2023

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume12731
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceEnvironmental Effects on Light Propagation and Adaptive Systems VI 2023
Country/TerritoryNetherlands
CityAmsterdam
Period5/09/236/09/23

Keywords

  • Kolmogorov Spectrum
  • Meandering
  • Optical Turbulence
  • Refractive Index Turbulence Strength
  • Ultrasonic Anemometer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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