Journal Article

FZJ-2014-05373

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Estimation of the refractive index structure parameter from single-level daytime routine weather data

van de Boer, A. (Corresponding Author) ; Moene, A. F. ; Graf, A.FZJ* ; Simmer, C. ; Holtslag, A. A. M.

2014
Optical Soc. of America Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1364/AO.53.005944

Abstract: Atmospheric scintillations cause difficulties for applications where an undistorted propagation of electromagneticradiation is essential. These scintillations are related to turbulent fluctuations of temperatureand humidity that are in turn related to surface heat fluxes. We developed an approach that quantifiesthese scintillations by estimating Cn2 from surface fluxes that are derived from single-level routineweather data. In contrast to previous methods that are biased to dry and warm air, our method is directlyapplicable to several land surface types, environmental conditions, wavelengths, and measurementheights (lookup tables for a limited number of site-specific parameters are provided). The approach allowsfor an efficient evaluation of the performance of, e.g., infrared imaging systems, laser geodetic systems,and ground-to-satellite optical communication systems.We tested our approach for two grass fieldsin central and southern Europe, and for a wheat field in central Europe. Although there are uncertaintiesin the flux estimates, the impact on Cn2 is shown to be rather small. The Cn2 daytime estimates agreewell with values determined from eddy covariance measurements for the application to the three fields.However, some adjustments were needed for the approach for the grass in southern Europe becauseof non-negligible boundary-layer processes that occur in addition to surface-layer processes. © 2014Optical Society of America

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Agrosphäre (IBG-3)

Research Program(s):

1. 246 - Modelling and Monitoring Terrestrial Systems: Methods and Technologies (POF2-246) (POF2-246)
2. 255 - Terrestrial Systems: From Observation to Prediction (POF3-255) (POF3-255)
3. DFG project 139819005 - Links between local scale and catchment scale measurements and modelling of gas exchange processes over land surfaces (139819005) (139819005)
4. DFG project 15232683 - TRR 32: Muster und Strukturen in Boden-Pflanzen-Atmosphären-Systemen: Erfassung, Modellierung und Datenassimilation (15232683) (15232683)

Appears in the scientific report 2014

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Database coverage:
; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Thomson Reuters Master Journal List ; Web of Science Core Collection

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