Wave optics simulation of atmospheric turbulence and reflective speckle effects in CO{sub 2} lidar
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Authors
Nelson, Douglas H.
Walters, Donald L.
MacKerrow, Edward P.
Schmitt, Mark J.
Quick, Charles R.
Porch, William M.
Petrin, Roger R.
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2000-04-20
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Abstract
Laser speckle can influence lidar measurements from a diffuse hard target. Atmospheric optical turbulence will also affect the lidar return signal. We present a numerical simulation that models the propagation of a lidar beam and accounts for both reflective speckle and atmospheric turbulence effects. Our simulation is based on implementing a Huygens-Fresnel approximation to laser propagation. A series of phase screens, with the appropriate atmospheric statistical characteristics, are used to simulate the effect of atmospheric turbulence. A single random phase screen is used to simulate scattering of the entire beam from a rough surface. We compare the output of our numerical model with separate CO{sub 2} lidar measurements of atmospheric turbulence and reflective speckle. We also compare the output of our model with separate analytical predictions for atmospheric turbulence and reflective speckle. Good agreement was found between the model and the experimental data. Good agreement was also found with analytical predictions. Finally, we present results of a simulation of the combined effects on a finite-aperture lidar system that are qualitatively consistent with previous experimental observations of increasing rms noise with increasing turbulence level. (c) 2000 Optical Society of America.
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The article of record as published may be found at https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.39.001857
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Journal Name: Applied Optics; Journal Volume: 39; Journal Issue: 12; Other Information: PBD: 20 Apr 2000
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.