Electromagnetic Scintillation: Volume 1, Geometrical Optics

An important reference work for researchers in optics, astronomy, physics and electrical engineering.

Albert D. Wheelon (Author)

9780521020121, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 September 2005

476 pages
24.4 x 17.1 x 2.5 cm, 0.75 kg

'This volume will be of particular interest to astronomers, applied physicists and engineers developing instruments and systems at the frontier of technology. It also provides a unique reference for atmospheric scientists and scintillation specialists.' International Journal for Light and Electron Optics

Electromagnetic Scintillation describes the phase and amplitude fluctuations imposed on signals that travel through the atmosphere. The volumes that make up Electromagnetic Scintillation will provide a modern reference and comprehensive tutorial, treating both optical and microwave propagation and integrating measurements and predictions at each step of the development. This first volume deals with phase and angle-of-arrival measurement errors, accurately described by geometrical optics. It will be followed by a further volume examining weak scattering. In this book, measured properties of tropospheric and ionospheric irregularities are reviewed first. Electromagnetic fluctuations induced by these irregularities are then estimated for a wide range of applications. The book will be of interest to those working in the resolution of astronomical interferometers and large single-aperture telescopes, as well as synthetic aperture radars and laser pointing/tracking systems. It is also directly relevant to those working in laser metrology, GPS location accuracy, and terrestrial and satellite communications.

Foreword
1. Introduction
2. Waves in random media
3. Geometrical optics expressions
4. Single path phase variance
5. Phase structure function
6. Time variation of phase
7. Angle-of-arrival fluctuations
8. Phase distributions
9. Field strength moments
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Military engineering [TTM], Electronics & communications engineering [TJ], Optical physics [PHJ], Astronomical observation: observatories, equipment & methods [PGG]