Observation and analysis of optical turbulence in Northwest plateau

Spatio-temporal evolution of optical turbulence is important for site-testing and optimizing the performance of adaptive optical systems. Measurements were taken over three years using surface layer atmospheric parameter system and differential image motion monitor. Microthermal sensors measured structure constant of refractive index and differential image motion monitors measured atmospheric coherent length and isoplanatic angle. Analysis of structure constant of refractive index showed the monthly and seasonal evolution of surface optical turbulence. Different parameters were analyzed during inversion time. The vertical profile of atmospheric structure constant of refractive index was gained based on Hufnagel-Valley mode1 for night,day and inversion time and different characters were found for different profiles.Based on longtime experiments, the results are credible and valuable for engineering application.