Theory of laser beam intensity profile distortions in turbulent media

Abstract

Analytical expressions are obtained for the mean-square nth moments of beam intensity profile, for the mean-square perturbation of the spatial spectrum, and for the variance of intensity integrated over an aperture for finite beams propagating in turbulent media. The theory is based on the assumption of the existence of a phase autocorrelation which is a function of the transverse difference coordinates and is illustrated using the approximation of linear optics and the Rytov approximation. The theory can be applied to determine the capabilities of optical beam systems in the presence of turbulence. LASER BEAM INTENSITY PROFILEDISTORTIONS 645