Propagation properties of rectangular Laguerre–Gaussian-correlated Schell-model beams in atmospheric turbulence

ABSTRACT

Based on the extended Huygens–Fresnel principle and the second-order moments of the Wigner distribution function (WDF), the analytical expressions for the cross-spectral density (CSD) and the propagation factor of a rectangular Laguerre–Gaussian-correlated Schell-model (LGCSM) beam propagating in atmospheric turbulence are derived. The statistical properties, such as the average intensity, the spectral degree of coherence (SDOC) and the propagation factor, of a rectangular LGCSM beam in free space and atmospheric turbulence are comparatively analysed. It is illustrated that a rectangular LGCSM beam exhibits self-splitting and combing properties on propagation in atmospheric turbulence, and the self-splitting properties of such beam are closely related to its beam orders m and n, which is quite different from other self-splitting beams. In addition, the rectangular LGCSM beam has an advantage for reducing the turbulence-induced degradation compared with the conventional partially coherent beams.

KEYWORDS:

• Partially coherent beams
• spatial correlation functions
• atmospheric turbulence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China: [grant number 11374015, 11747065]; Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province: [grant number 1708085QA11, 1808085QA10].