Effects of atmospheric turbulence on the scintillation and fade probability of flattened Gaussian beams

Doris C. Cowan; Larry C. Andrews

doi:10.1117/1.2844715

1 February 2008 Effects of atmospheric turbulence on the scintillation and fade probability of flattened Gaussian beams

Doris C. Cowan, Larry C. Andrews

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 47, Issue 2, 026001 (February 2008). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.2844715

Abstract

In an attempt to mitigate the effects of the atmosphere on the coherence of an optical (laser) beam, interest has recently been shown in changing the beam shape to determine if a different power distribution at the transmitter will reduce the effects of random fluctuations in the refractive index. Here, a model is developed for the field of a flattened Gaussian beam as it propagates through atmospheric turbulence, and the resulting effects on the scintillation of the beam and beam wander are determined. A comparison of these results is made with the like effects on a standard TEM₀₀ Gaussian beam. The theoretical results are verified by comparison with a computer simulation model for the flattened Gaussian beam (FGB). Further, a determination of the probability of fade and of mean fade time under weak fluctuation conditions is determined using the widely accepted lognormal model. Although this model has been shown to be somewhat optimistic when compared to results obtained in field tests, it has value here in allowing us to compare the effects of atmospheric conditions on the fade statistics of the FGB with those of the lowest order Gaussian beam.

©(2008) Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

Citation Download Citation

Doris C. Cowan and Larry C. Andrews "Effects of atmospheric turbulence on the scintillation and fade probability of flattened Gaussian beams," Optical Engineering 47(2), 026001 (1 February 2008). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.2844715

Published: 1 February 2008

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available