Refractive-index structure constant dependence on height

Abstract

The variance of the angle of arrival of an optical beam passing through a turbulent atmosphere was measured, utilizing a telescope and a TV measuring system. The results were compared with predictions obtained using existing models for the dependence of the refractive-index structure constant on the height above the ground. It was found that the best fitting model, for lines of sight near the ground (10m≤h≤ 100 m), is Tatarskii’s model for convective conditions including buoyancy.