Date of Award

3-26-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Engineering Physics

First Advisor

Steven T. Fiorino, PhD.

Abstract

The Hufnagel-Valley (H-V) 5/7 model was developed to characterize optical turbulence (C2n ) as it varies with height over land. While the H-V 5/7 model is not meant to predict precise values, observations will likely be in a range close to the models prediction. H-V 5/7 is not suitable for modeling turbulence over the ocean, and to date no ocean pro les have been developed. The primary objective of this research is to develop a H-V-like standard maritime model of optical turbulence, and test its ability to accurately characterize C2n over a broad spatial and temporal range. Maritime temperature climatology data are obtained from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) aboard NASA's Aqua satellite. Three standard models are proposed as alternatives to the H-V model. Results show that maritime pro les generally do not exhibit the surface spike in turbulence seen in H-V 5/7. Additionally, a strong latitudinal variation in the height of the C2n inflection associated with the tropopause is observed, motivating the need for separate models for polar and tropic regions.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENP-MS-15-M-141

DTIC Accession Number

ADA615226

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