The Search for Atmospheric Laminar Channels: Experimental Results and Method Dissemination

Abstract

In this paper, a practical application of theoretical developments found in our previous works is explored in relation to atmospheric lidar data. Multifractal structures, previously named “laminar channels”, have been identified in atmospheric profiles—these exhibit cellular and self-structuring properties, and are spatially ordered across the atmospheric profile. Furthermore, these structures have been connected to the spontaneous emergence of turbulent behavior in the calm atmospheric flow. Calculating the location and occurrence of these channels can help identify features of atmospheric evolution, such as the development of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Employing this theoretical background to atmospheric lidar data, attempts are made to confirm this suggestion and extract information about atmospheric structure and evolution by analyzing turbulent vortex scale dynamics and scale-corresponding Lyapunov exponents that form the basis of identifying the laminar channels in atmospheric lidar profiles. A parameter named “scale laminarity index” is then introduced, which quantifies the relation between vortex scale and chaoticity throughout the profile. Finally, the algorithmic methods employed in this study are described and distributed for future use.

Turbulence Removal in Atmospheric Dynamics through Laminar Channels

“…The existence of such channels has already been demonstrated in these studies, but now a different and synergic theoretical justification has been produced for them with the previously demonstrated emergence of nonlinear behaviors in the dynamics of the atmosphere [20,21]. Our previous papers show that a scale transition model can be coupled with a discontinuous form of the Navier-Stokes equation to produce a type of logistic map [21]. Given the occurrence of both chaos and order in this map with the existence of Pomeau-Maneville areas, it was shown that it is possible to identify quasi-laminar or fully laminar regions in atmospheric profiles, leading to "laminar channel" structures that show either ascending or descending behavior [21].…”

“…Now, in order to consider and develop the implications of the theory discussed thus far, we refer to our previous works in which the theoretical and practical foundations of what is known as "laminar channels" were made [20,21]. The existence of such channels has already been demonstrated in these studies, but now a different and synergic theoretical justification has been produced for them with the previously demonstrated emergence of nonlinear behaviors in the dynamics of the atmosphere [20,21]. Our previous papers show that a scale transition model can be coupled with a discontinuous form of the Navier-Stokes equation to produce a type of logistic map [21].…”

“…Our previous papers show that a scale transition model can be coupled with a discontinuous form of the Navier-Stokes equation to produce a type of logistic map [21]. Given the occurrence of both chaos and order in this map with the existence of Pomeau-Maneville areas, it was shown that it is possible to identify quasi-laminar or fully laminar regions in atmospheric profiles, leading to "laminar channel" structures that show either ascending or descending behavior [21]. Then, such transitions from laminar to chaotic might come from spontaneous sources, and vice versa, which then suggests that there are laminar channels being modulated throughout the atmosphere-not only that, but the cellular entities found in Re(a 1 z + a 2 ) heavily imply that such laminar areas self-structure in cohesive and coherent ways across space.…”