A small, low-cost, turbulence profiling instrument for free-space optical communication

Marcus Birch; Francis Bennet; Michael Copeland; Doris Grosse; Josephine Munro; Tony Travouillon

doi:10.1117/12.2646569

15 March 2023 A small, low-cost, turbulence profiling instrument for free-space optical communication

Marcus Birch, Francis Bennet, Michael Copeland, Doris Grosse, Josephine Munro, Tony Travouillon

Proceedings Volume 12413, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXV; 124131C (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2646569
Event: SPIE LASE, 2023, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Characterisation and mitigation of atmospheric turbulence is critical for free space optical communication that relies on adaptive optics such as high bit rate coherent modulation or quantum key distribution. Turbulence profiling, i.e. measuring turbulence at different altitudes, provides more detail than typical seeing monitors and supports sophisticated AO and the possibility to forecast conditions. We present the implementation of a Ring-Image Next Generation Scintillation Sensor (RINGSS) instrument that profiles turbulence with a novel approach of defocused ring images introduced by A. Tokovinin (2021)1 . RINGSS is exceptionally low-cost, small, and fully automated, requiring significantly simpler equipment than previous turbulence profilers. We have demonstrated preliminary results that demonstrate the capability of this instrument for measurements of seeing and a low resolution turbulence profile. Future work is outlined that includes cross-calibration with a Stereo-SCIDAR instrument recently commissioned on the ANU 2.3m telescope at Siding Spring Observatory and plans for deployment at prospective optical ground station sites for an Australia-New Zealand optical network.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Marcus Birch, Francis Bennet, Michael Copeland, Doris Grosse, Josephine Munro, and Tony Travouillon "A small, low-cost, turbulence profiling instrument for free-space optical communication", Proc. SPIE 12413, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXV, 124131C (15 March 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2646569

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