Propagation factors of laser array beams in turbulent atmosphere

The propagation factors of phased locked laser array beams of radial and rectangular symmetries in a turbulent atmosphere are investigated based on the extended Huygens–Fresnel integral and the Wigner distribution function. Analytical propagation formulae for the propagation factors are derived and numerical examples are illustrated. We find that unlike their propagation invariant properties in free space, the propagation factors of laser array beams increase when propagating in turbulent atmosphere, and are closely related to the parameters of initial beams and the atmosphere.     

Field correlation of flat-topped beams in anisotropic non-Kolmogorov turbulent atmosphere

Field correlation of flat-topped beams in anisotropic non-Kolmogorov turbulent atmosphere is formulated and evaluated. Larger anisotropic factor causes higher field correlations. Smaller field correlations are seen when the transverse distance at the receiver plane increases. Smaller field correlations are observed at large off-axis transverse receiver points, which are valid for any anisotropic factor and for any power-law exponent of non-Kolmogorov turbulence. When the flat-topped beam is composed of large number of Gaussian beams, the field correlation becomes smaller. In anisotropic non-Kolmogorov turbulence, longer propagation distances, larger structure constants, smaller inner scales and smaller source sizes decrease the field correlation. Larger power law exponent of non-Kolmogorov turbulence increases the field correlations at any anisotropic factor.     

Effects of atmosphere on spectrum of modified partially coherent flat-topped beams

The analytical formulas for the spectrum of modified partially coherent flat-topped (MPCFT) beams propagating in a turbulent atmosphere have been derived under strong fluctuation condition of turbulence. The spectral properties of MPCFT beams propagating in a strong turbulence have been investigated, and the changes of on-axis and off-axis spectral distributions have been analyzed quantitatively. The results show that the on-axis relative spectral shift of the modified partially coherent flat-topped beam exhibits spectral switch for the beam order M > 1, and with the increasing propagation distance the blue-shift gradually decreases in atmospheric turbulence. A rapid transition for the off-axis spectrum appears at one critical position in turbulence, and the position decreases with the increasing beam order for the lower beam order and the nearer propagation distance. The spectral properties and the spectral shifts of MPCFT beams also depend on the inner scale, the spatial coherence parameter.     

Changes in the spectrum of radial array beams through turbulent atmosphere

According to the extended Huygens–Fresnel principle, the propagation formulas of the spectrum for correlated superposition radial array Gaussian Schell-model (RAGSM) beams in a turbulent atmosphere have been derived. The spectral properties of correlated superposition RAGSM beams in free space and in turbulence have also been compared and analyzed. The results show that there exist two identical spectral maxima for the normalized on-axis spectrum of RAGSM beams at one critical position against propagation distance. When the propagation distance is large enough, the on-axis relative spectral shifts in free space and those in turbulence tend to a steady nonzero and zero value, respectively. The off-axis relative spectral shift in free space exhibits a blue-shift alternating with red-shift against off-axis distance, and it depends on the array radius and the beamlet number; whereas the spectral shift has a rapid transition in turbulence. In addition, the on-axis and off-axis relative spectral shifts also depend on the characteristic parameters of turbulence, the beam parameters, and the array parameters.     

Propagation of partially coherent flat-topped beams through a turbulent atmosphere

Based on the modified beam model for flat-topped beams and the Schell model for partially coherent light, an expression for partially coherent flat-topped (PCFT) beams has been proposed. The propagation characteristics of PCFT beams with circular symmetry through a turbulent atmosphere have been studied. By using the generalized Huygens-Fresnel integral and Fourier transform method, the expressions for the cross-spectral density function and the average intensity have been given and the analytical expression for the root-mean-square width has been derived. The effects of the beam order, the spatial coherence, and the turbulent parameter on the intensity distributions and beam spreading have been discussed in detail. Our results show that the on-axis intensity of the beams decreases with increasing turbulence and decreasing coherence of the source, whereas the on-axis intensity of the beams in the far field decreases slightly with increasing beam order. The relative spreading of PCFT beams is smaller for beams with a higher order, a lower degree of global coherence of the source, a larger inner scale, and a smaller outer scale of the turbulence.     

Partially coherent dark hollow beams propagating through real ABCD optical systems in a turbulent atmosphere

A closed-form analytical expression is derived for a partially coherent dark hollow beam (DHB) propagating through an arbitrary real ABCD optical system in a turbulent atmosphere. The average intensity of the beam in the output plane is investigated in the presence of, respectively, a thin lens image system and a two-lens system along the optical path. For a special thin lens image system, the partially coherent DHB and the fully coherent DHB have the same evolution properties, and the comparative analysis is made between the propagation of the focused DHB and the collimated DHB for direct propagation in turbulence to show the effect of the thin lens on the average intensity. As for the two-lens system, the effects of the lens systems, the structure constant in the turbulent medium and the parameters of the incident beam on the average intensity are evaluated and illustrated. The result shows that different lens systems and propagation parameters can evidently affect the evolution properties of the beam.     

Propagation properties of cosh-Airy beams

We theoretically investigate the propagation properties of cosh-Airy beams, which can be considered as a superposition of two Airy beams with different decay factors. We find that the field distribution of cosh-Airy beams is the same as that of Airy beams. Moreover, we find that the evolution of cosh-Airy beams is determined by the parameters of the cosh modulation function, in addition to the transverse scale factor and decay factor of the Airy beams. Our results demonstrate a possible method of manipulating Airy beams in free space. They can also be extended to the study of the propagation properties of cosine-Airy beams (or sine-Airy beams).     

Spiral spectrum of anomalous vortex beams propagating in a weakly turbulent atmosphere

ABSTRACT

We study the spiral spectrum of anomalous vortex beams propagating through a turbulent atmosphere. Based on the Huygens–Fresnel integral and the Rytov approximation, the integral expression and then the analytical expression for the spiral spectrum of anomalous vortex beams in the weakly turbulent atmosphere are derived. The capacity of wireless optical links using the anomalous vortex beam is obtained. It is found that the spiral spectrum of the anomalous vortex beam is less affected by turbulence than that of the Laguerre-Gaussian beam. And thus, the information capacity of wireless optical links using the anomalous vortex beam is larger than that using the Laguerre-Gaussian beam. The influence of beam order, wavelength, topological charge, propagation distance, refractive index structure constant and the radius of receiver aperture on spiral spectrum is investigated. These results contribute to reduce the disturbing effects of atmospheric turbulence on the orbital angular momentum of the vortex beam.     

Propagation of a partially coherent beam from an unstable resonator through turbulent atmosphere

The influence of atmospheric turbulence on the propagation of a partially coherent beam from an unstable resonator was studied numerically. The resonant mode of the unstable resonator is obtained by iterative calculation using the Huygens–Fresnel formula. Also, using the extended Huygens–Fresnel integral, the intensity distribution of a propagating laser beam is calculated for different conditions. The influence of turbulence on the profile of partially coherent beams of an unstable resonator is studied. The effects of geometrical parameters of the resonator on the far-field beam profile are investigated. The results show that an unstable resonator with higher magnification has a superior far-field beam profile under partial coherency and turbulence conditions.     

Propagation of broken stable beams

Beams that are stable during propagation in a homogeneous and isotropic medium are widely used in optical particle manipulation, communication, metrology, etc. In real life scattering, absorption and diffraction by obstacles produce changes of the beam structure. The propagation of these broken beams is analysed. It is shown that, similarly to the Bessel beams, they are able to reconstruct their original shape after being disturbed by obstacles of relatively small size.     

Propagation properties of partially coherent radially polarized beam in a turbulent atmosphere

Based on the Huygens–Fresnel principle and the unified theory of coherence and polarization of partially coherent beams, we investigate the propagation characteristics of a partially coherent radially polarized doughnut (PCRPD) beam in a turbulent atmosphere. It is found that, after propagating through a turbulent atmosphere, the doughnut beam spot is changed into a circular Gaussian beam. Moreover, the degree of coherence, the degree of polarization and the degree of cross-polarization of the beam will change on propagation, and this change is dependent upon the degree of coherence of the source and atmospheric turbulence.     

Propagation properties of partially coherent anomalous hollow beams in uniaxial crystals

Analytical propagation formulae for partially coherent anomalous hollow beams in uniaxial crystals are derived. Paraxial propagation of partially coherent anomalous hollow beams in uniaxial crystals orthogonal to the optical axis is investigated based on the beam propagation equations. The propagation properties of partially coherent anomalous hollow beams in uniaxial crystals and in free space are studied numerically and comparatively. It is found that the propagation properties of partially coherent anomalous hollow beams in uniaxial crystals behave very differently from those in free space and are closely determined by the parameters of the uniaxial crystals and the initial coherence width. The uniaxial crystals provide an effective way for generating astigmatic beams.     

Coupling characteristics and kurtosis parameter of partially coherent beams in turbulent atmosphere

Coupling properties and kurtosis parameter (K parameter) of arbitrary beams propagating through atmospheric turbulence are investigated. A correlation factor (C⁴-factor) is introduced to describe the influence of turbulence on coupling characteristics. The general analytical expression for C⁴-factor of arbitrary beams in atmospheric turbulence is derived. It is shown that C⁴-factor of arbitrary beams in the turbulent atmosphere depends on the initial second-order moments and fourth-order moments and turbulence quantities. Taking the partially coherent anomalous elliptical hollow Gaussian (PCAEHG) beam as an example, we can obtain that C⁴-factor decreases as structure constant of the refractive index fluctuations and inner scale increase, and waist width and transverse coherence length decrease when z?>?5?km. Moreover, K parameter of PCAEHG beam in turbulent atmosphere converges to 2 when propagation distance is large enough. It indicates that the profile of PCAEHG beams in turbulent atmosphere finally evolves into fundamental Gaussian distribution.     

Propagation of anomalous hollow beams through a circular-apertured optical system

In this paper, we consider the propagation of anomalous hollow beams through a circular-apertured paraxial ABCD optical system. Based on the Huygens–Fresnel integral and the expansion of the circular aperture function into a finite sum of Gaussian functions, the approximation analytical expression of an anomalous hollow beam passing through a circular-apertured paraxial ABCD optical system is derived. Based on the approximation analytical expression, the propagation properties in free space are numerically illustrated. This method provides a convenient tool for studying the propagation and transformation properties of anomalous hollow beams passing through a circular-apertured paraxial ABCD optical system.     

Field correlation for flat-topped beam in non-Kolmogorov turbulent medium

Absolute field correlation of flat-topped beam in non-Kolmogorov turbulent medium is examined at the receiver plane. The power law exponent increase affects absolute field correlation inversely. It is found that the absolute field correlation decreases when the propagation distance, deviation from the receiver axis, diagonal transverse distance from the receiver point and turbulence strength increase. Beam flatness order increase yields smaller absolute field correlation. For the employed parameters, the flat-topped beam attains higher absolute field correlation when the wavelength and the source size increase.     

Evolution properties of partially coherent four-petal Gaussian beams in oceanic turbulence

Based on the extended Huygens–Fresnel integral formula, the analytical expressions for partially coherent four-petal Gaussian beam propagating in oceanic turbulence are derived, and the influences of coherence length, beam order N and the parameters of oceanic turbulence (the rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy per unit mass of fluid, the rate of dissipation of mean square temperature and the relative strength of temperature and salinity fluctuations) on average intensity properties are investigated using numerical examples in detail. The results show that the beam with the higher beam order N or coherence length will lose its initial four-petal profiles slower. It is also indicated that the beam will evolve into a Gauss-like beam more rapidly with increasing oceanic turbulence strength. The results have the potential application in underwater laser communication using a partially coherent four-petal Gaussian beam.     

Spectral changes of polychromatic stochastic electromagnetic vortex beams propagating through turbulent atmosphere

The unified theory of coherence and polarization and the propagation law of 2 × 2 cross-spectral density are employed to investigate spectral changes of the polychromatic stochastic electromagnetic vortex beam propagating in turbulent atmosphere. It is shown that the spectral changes of a polychromatic stochastic electromagnetic vortex beam in turbulent atmosphere differ from those of the beam without vortex. Specially, the on-axis relative spectral shifts exhibit not only blue-shift, but also red-shift. It is also shown that the topological charge, the correlation length and the refractive index structure constant influence the spectral changes of polychromatic stochastic electromagnetic vortex beams in a turbulent atmosphere.     

Measurement of the energy of wide laser beams in a turbulent atmosphere

An analysis of one possible method of determining the energy of a laser pulse that has traversed a test path is given. Based on a model of phase screens and the Monte-Carlo method of statistical tests, the conditions of propagation of laser pulses in air are modeled and geometric parameters of the measurement system which are optimal from the point of view of error minimization are determined. __________ Translated from Izmeritel’naya Tekhnika, No. 9, pp. 21–25, September, 2006.     

Reliability analysis of the flat-topped array beam FSO communication link

Free-space optical communication systems are affected by turbulent atmosphere. The atmospheric transmission is affected by absorption, scattering and turbulence. In this paper, the effects of absorption and scattering are taken into account using Beer’s law and the effects of turbulence are considered in calculating the average intensity distribution. An analytical expression for the average intensity distribution of a partially coherent flat-topped array (PCFTA) beam in turbulent atmosphere is derived based on the extended Huygens–Fresnel principle. The average intensity, power in bucket, signal to noise ratio, and bit error rate of this kind of beam are investigated in details. It is shown by numerical results and analytical methods that the average intensity and link parameters of PCFTA beams change during propagation and these changes are dependent upon both source parameters and weather conditions.     

Evolution of decentred laser beams propagating through atmospheric turbulence

The changes of the average intensity, the centre of beam gravity and the position of intensity maximum of decentred laser beams propagating through atmospheric turbulence are examined in detail. It is shown that the decentred intensity distribution is amended gradually with increasing the propagation distance and the strength of turbulence, and it becomes an off-axis Gaussian-like beam when the propagation distance and the strength of turbulence become large enough. The centre of beam gravity is independent of both the propagation distance and the strength of turbulence. On the other hand, there are two intensity maxima, and their positions are symmetrical around the propagation z-axis when the propagation distance z is small. With increasing z, there is only one intensity maximum. As z further increases, position of the intensity maximum is further shifted towards the z-axis. When z is large enough, the position of the intensity maximum is unchanged. The unchanged position of the intensity maximum moves further away from the z-axis with an increase in the refraction index structure constant, the decentred parameter and the waist width.