Profile and Character of Atmospheric Structure Constant of Refractive Index Cn2

Random fluctuations of turbulence bring random fluctuations of the refractive index, making the atmosphere a random fluctuation medium that destroys the coherence of light-waves. Research in atmospheric turbulence is actually the investigation of the atmospheric refractive index. The atmospheric structure constant of refractive index, C n 2 , is an important parameter denoting atmospheric turbulence. In this paper, C n 2 is measured during the day and at night and in all four seasons using a high sensitivity micro-thermal meter QHTP-2. The vertical profile of C n 2 in Hefei (0–30 km) is investigated by the analysis of experimental data. The average profile of C n 2 in Hefei exhibits conspicuous day and night differences with increased altitude. The distribution of log(C n 2 ) is nearly normal and has conspicuous seasonal differences.