Abstract

Analytical formulas for the root-mean-square (rms) spatial width, the rms angular width, and the $M^2$-factor of partially coherent standard Laguerre Gaussian beams (PC-SLGBs) and partially coherent elegant Laguerre Gaussian beams (PC-ELGBs) in inhomogeneous turbulent atmosphere have been derived. The propagation properties of PC-SLGBs and PC-ELGBs in inhomogeneous atmospheric turbulence are studied numerically and comparatively. It can be found that the propagation of laser beams in inhomogeneous turbulence is different from that in homogeneous turbulence. It is also shown that relative rms spatial widths and $M^2$-factors of PC-ELGBs are more affected by inhomogeneous turbulence than those of PC-SLGBs. Moreover, the relative rms spatial widths and $M^2$-factors of PC-SLGBs and PC-ELGBs in inhomogeneous turbulent atmosphere are closely related with waist widths, coherence widths, zenith angles, inner scales, and beam orders. Furthermore, the saturation propagation distance of the relative $M^2$-factor and rms angular width with zenith angles of $\pi /6$ are 20 km and 0.5 km, respectively.

© 2017 Optical Society of America

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