Fluctuations of a Continuous Wave Signal

Fluctuations in the phase of CW signals were measured as a function of distance traveled in water. The data were compared with two theories. First, the phase fluctuations were assumed to be due to fluctuations of the travel times of the acoustic waves. Second, the fluctuations were assumed to be caused by the addition of background noise. The results of these experiments gave an upper limit to the magnitude of acoustic path fluctuations.