Measurement of optical turbulence in the atmospheric surface layer with comparison to two models

Effective modeling of optical turbulence, quantified by the refractive index structure parameter C_n², is crucial for communication, directed energy, and imaging systems, particularly those operating in the complex near-maritime atmospheric boundary layer. This poster investigates optical turbulence by comparing measurements from a single-sided MZA DELTA-Wx turbulence profiler to predictions from established physical models. The DELTA-Wx system was deployed on a slant path over the Severn River, providing C_n² profiles in discrete height bins up to a height of approximately 200-m. Our analysis contrasts these DELTA-Wx observations with C_n² predictions from the Hufnagel-Andrews-Phillips (HAP) model and the Navy Atmospheric Vertical Surface Layer Model (NAVSLaM). While HAP showed closer alignment with observations in the lowest two bins, NAVSLaM generally performed better in higher bins (up to 100-m) compared to HAP. However, both physical models exhibited significant disagreement with the measured data, particularly in high-turbulence conditions, often underpredicting observed C_n². This suggests that models developed for other environments may not fully capture the complex dynamics of the near-maritime atmospheric boundary layer. Although not the primary focus, machine learning models, which leverage a broader range of meteorological parameters, demonstrated superior agreement with observations, offering promising avenues for future turbulence prediction.