Interferometric measurement of optical signal in turbulence

The aim of this thesis is to quantify the impact of atmospheric turbulence on optical signal used in free space optic communication systems. The first part is associated with atmosphere as transmission medium. Following part deals with interferometry and components of interferometers. Various methods of analysis of trasmission environment for optical beam are introduced theoretically and experimentally. Mathematical apparatus based on Kolmogorov’s cascade theory, Rytov’s variance was used to find value of structural parameter of refraction as a main measure of turbulence intensity. Experimentally obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis. The visualization of interference pattern fluctuations under turbulent conditions is shown in the last section. Interferometric method was realized with Michelson interferometer