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Application of radiative image transfer theory to the assessment of the overall OTF and contrast degradation of an image in an inhomogeneous turbulent and turbid atmosphereA perturbation-theoretic approximation of the radiative transfer equation which neglects photon dispersion is used as a modeling basis for the propagation of the image of a self-luminous target through a turbulent atmosphere which also possesses inhomogeneously distributed turbidity along the propagation path. A contrast ratio is then introduced which provides an indicator of the relative contribution of the unscattered or coherent image component to that of the scattered or incoherent image component. Analytical expressions are then derived for the contrast ratio from the approximate form of the radiative transfer equation in the case of an inhomogeneously dispersed Joss thunderstorm rain distribution in the presence of turbulence. The case is clearly demonstrated for the need to consider a measure of the points of demarcation at which the dominant roles of the scattering processes due to turbidity and turbulence are exchanged. Such a measure can provide a performance parameter for the application of adaptive optics methods that are specific to the particular dominant scattering mechanism given the prevailing target size, total propagation length and overall propagation parameters.
Document ID
19930044627
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Manning, Robert M.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: In: Characterization, propagation, and simulation of sources and backgrounds II; Proceedings of the Meeting, Orlando, FL, Apr. 20-22, 1992 (A93-28622 10-74)
Publisher: Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers
Subject Category
Thermodynamics And Statistical Physics
Accession Number
93A28624
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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