Analysis of non-Kolmogorov weak turbulence effects on infrared imaging by atmospheric turbulence MTF

The atmospheric turbulence modulation transfer functions (MTF) can be used to describe the degrading effects of atmospheric turbulence on an optical imaging system. In this study, new expressions of long exposure atmospheric turbulence MTF are derived with the generalized atmospheric spectral model for optical waves propagating through non-Kolmogorov weak turbulence with horizontal path. They consider the finite turbulence inner and outer scales, and have a general spectral power law value in the range of 3 to 4 instead of the standard power law value of 11/3. Numerical calculations are conducted to analyze the influence of non-Kolmogorov weak turbulence on the infrared imaging in term of atmospheric turbulence MTF, and results show that the non-Kolmogorov weak turbulence produces less effect on the far infrared imaging.