TEMPORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ACOUSTIC RAY PROPAGATION THROUGH "INFINITE" AND "BOX MODEL" TURBULENCE

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Abstract
In this work, we investigate the temporal characteristics of acoustic ray propagation through simulated, weakly turbulent temperature fields. In a first set of experiments, we generate ensembles of random scalar fields from randomly oriented Fourier temperature modes. Then, by integrating the ray trace equations, we estimate the distribution of arrival times for rays propagating a distance R through them. We demonstrate that these arrival time distributions are Gaussian for both axial and 3-D propagation and are primarily determined by the lower wave numbers of the 1-D fluctuation spectrum. In a second set of experiments, we generate random fields comprised of Fourier modes prescribed on a lattice, as in "box model" turbulence. In these simulations, we find that acoustic travel times are significantly affected both by the periodicity of the fields and by the direction of acoustic propagation with respect to the orientation of the box. Both effects can ultimately be attributable to an inadequate representation of the low wave number region of the 1-D spectrum. We suggest that these artifacts of simulated periodic fields may preclude their use for acoustic propagation studies.

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