Reliable model to estimate the profile of the refractive index structure parameter (C_n²) and integrated astroclimatic parameters in the atmosphere

Abstract

Based on the statistical study of meteorological balloons equipped with thermosondes, a new model that estimates the profile of the refractive index structure constant (<i>C</i><i>n</i>2) is proposed. Utilizing temperature, pressure, and wind shear as inputs, this new approach can estimate vertical profiles of <i>C</i><i>n</i>2 with 100 m vertical resolution. We used four outer scale models (Thorpe, HMNSP99, Dewan, and our proposed model) on data acquired from Rongcheng (Shandong Peninsula) and Maoming (Guangdong Province) to estimate the <i>C</i><i>n</i>2 profiles and compared the results with the measured <i>C</i><i>n</i>2 profile. The proposed method outperformed the other three models, yielding an estimation profile that matched well with the measured median <i>C</i><i>n</i>2 profiles, with an average relative error generally less than 3.5% and a mean correlation coefficient larger than 0.72 in Maoming, an average relative error generally less than 3.4% and a mean correlation coefficient larger than 0.84 in Rongcheng. The proposed outer scale model also shows good performance in estimating integrated atmospheric parameters.