General Theory of Light Propagation and Imaging Through the Atmosphere

This updated edition presents the theory of light propagation and imaging through Earth's turbulent atmosphere, incorporating new mathematical tools and historical insights, while addressing laser communications and telescope advancements.

"General Theory of Light Propagation and Imaging Through the Atmosphere" (2nd edition) presents a revised and comprehensive exploration of the theory behind light behavior in Earth's turbulent atmosphere. Originally developed in the late 1970s and 1980s, this updated edition expands upon foundational concepts while introducing new applications in laser communications and high-energy laser beam propagation.

One notable addition is a chapter dedicated to a mathematical toolkit designed for accurately characterizing image formation with the upcoming Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs). This resource enables researchers to understand a wide variety of star image shapes and sizes. The book also revises existing chapters to enhance clarity, combining mathematical explanations with accessible physical insights, both in written and graphical formats.

The narrative traces the evolution of light propagation theories, beginning with basic geometrical optics from a century ago and advancing through the significant developments of the 1960s, such as the Kolmogorov theory. While this earlier theory faced criticism for its limitations, it nonetheless influenced the construction of telescopes that ultimately underperformed. The general theory presented in this edition avoids the need for prior turbulence assumptions, instead offering methods to calculate turbulence properties directly from easily measurable characteristics of star images. This makes it a valuable resource for both researchers and practitioners in the field.