Atmospheric-compensation experiments in strong-scintillation conditions

Most atmospheric-turbulence-compensation experiments have been performed under weak-scintillation conditions; conventional phase-conjugate adaptive-optics systems usually provide good correction for these conditions. We have performed an experiment over a 5.5-km horizontal propagation path to explore the efficacy of conventional adaptive optics in strong-scintillation conditions. The experimental results showed a significant degradation in correction as the scintillation increased. The presence of branch points in the phase appears to be the primary reason for the degradation in correction as the scintillation increases.