Abstract

Using transport methods, we have computed the mutual coherence function of a laser beam propagating in turbulence with a modified Von Karman spectrum for the index-of-refraction fluctuations, including a parametric study of the effect on the mutual coherence function of varying beam size, focal length, and the properties of the turbulence. The results are valid over nearly all propagation distances, unlike calculations employing the method of smooth perturbations. We have also studied the effect of a constant wind on the frequency spectrum of the signal, and have found that, over most practical path lengths, the spectral width is $\mathrm{\Delta }\omega =4.1\hspace{0.17em}V{k}_0^{6/5}{(C_n^2)}^{3/5}{z}^{3/5}$, where V is the wind speed, k₀ is the signal wave number, $C_n^2$ is the strength of turbulence, and z is the path length in the turbulence.

© 1974 Optical Society of America

Physical model for strong optical-amplitude fluctuations in a turbulent medium

H. T. Yura
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 64(1) 59-67 (1974)

Free-space propagation of irradiance fluctuations and the fourth-order coherence function

Mark J. Beran and Alan M. Whitman
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 64(12) 1636-1640 (1974)

Propagation of the Mutual Coherence Function Through Random Media*

Mark J. Beran
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 56(11) 1475-1480 (1966)

Temporal-frequency spectrum of an optical wave propagating under saturation conditions

H. T. Yura
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 64(3) 357-359 (1974)

Wave Structure Function and Mutual Coherence Function of an Optical Wave in a Turbulent Atmosphere

R. F. Lutomirski and H. T. Yura
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 61(4) 482-487 (1971)