Propagation of Laguerre–Gaussian and Bessel–Gaussian Schell-model beams through paraxial optical systems in turbulent atmosphere

• Published in: Optics and laser technology 2013-12, Vol.54, p.35-41
• Main Authors: Cang, Ji, Xiu, Peng, Liu, Xu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheres; Atmospheric turbulence; Beam propagation; Beams (radiation); Bessel–Gaussian Schell-model beam; Coherence; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Laguerre–Gaussian Schell-model beam; Turbulence; Turbulent flow
• ISSN: 0030-3992; 1879-2545
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2013.05.002

Based on the extended Huygens–Fresnel diffraction integral, the expressions for the average intensity and the effective size of Laguerre–Gaussian and Bessel–Gaussian Schell-model beams propagating through a paraxial ABCD optical system are obtained in the turbulent atmosphere. The influences of the source coherence and atmospheric turbulence on the propagation of Laguerre–Gaussian and Bessel–Gaussian Schell-model beams in the turbulent atmosphere are investigated in detail. It is found that the beam profile will eventually evolve into a Gaussian-like distribution through turbulence in contrast to ring-shaped far-field pattern in free space. The effective size of Laguerre–Gaussian and Bessel–Gaussian Schell-model beams with lower source coherence is less affected by turbulence. The parameter β and index n of the sources have some effects on intensity distribution and beam spreading through atmospheric turbulence. •Propagation of LGSM and BGSM beams through optical systems in turbulence.•Intensity distribution and effective beam width of LGSM and BGSM beams.•Effects of atmospheric turbulence and the source coherence on intensity profile.•Effects of turbulence and the source coherence on beam spreading.