Optical Turbulence and Propagation Challenges

How atmospheric turbulence, scintillation and absorption degrade optical links, and the models used to characterize and predict these impairments.

• Engineers and researchers working in optical wireless communication, free-space optics (FSO), and atmospheric communication systems
• System designers and developers aiming to mitigate turbulence effects in optical links
• Graduate and postgraduate students specializing in optics, photonics, aerospace engineering, and wireless communication
• Academic staff involved in research and teaching in fields related to optical communication, atmospheric physics, and turbulence modeling
• Professionals working on laser communication, satellite-to-ground links, airborne optical systems, and underwater optics
• Scientists and R&D specialists in aerospace, defense, and telecommunications industries
• Developers of imaging, sensing, and navigation systems affected by atmospheric or underwater propagation effects

• Introduction to Optical Wave Propagation - Free-space propagation basics - Comparison of vacuum vs. atmosphere propagation
• Understanding Optical Turbulence - Refractive index structure parameter (Cn2 ) - Kolmogorov and non-Kolmogorov turbulence models
• Turbulence-Induced Effects - Scintillation and intensity fluctuations - Beam wander, beam spreading, angle-of-arrival fluctuations
• Turbulence Models and Characterization - Statistical models - Simulation techniques (brief introduction to Monte Carlo methods)
• Mitigation and Compensation Strategies - Aperture averaging - Adaptive optics and diversity techniques - Error correction coding for turbulence mitigation
• Recent Research Trends - Machine learning in turbulence prediction - Space-based optical turbulence considerations - New experimental measurement techniques

• Copy of the presentation slides (PDF)
• Downloadable video recording of the sessions (valid for 60 days)

⚠️ Important: The video is licensed for personal use only. Redistribution, sharing, or public posting of the course video is strictly prohibited.

* Session 1: 2.25 hours - Introduction to Optical Propagation - Fundamentals of Atmospheric Turbulence - Scintillation and Beam Wander * Session 2: 2.25 hours - Mitigation Techniques for Turbulence Effects - Experimental and Simulation App