Intensity fluctuations of flat-topped beam in non-Kolmogorov weak turbulence

Results obtained on the intensity fluctuations of flat-topped Gaussian beams in weakly turbulent non-Kolmogorov horizontal atmospheric optics links are represented. Effects on the scintillation index of the power law a that describes the non-Kolmogorov spectrum are examined. Our results correctly reduce to the existing intensity fluctuations of flat-topped beams in Kolmogorov turbulence. Variation of the scintillation index against non-Kolmogorov power law alpha exhibits a peak at the worst power law alpha(w), which happens to be smaller than the Kolmogorov power law of 11/3. If the power law is smaller (larger) than alpha(w), increase in alpha will increase (decrease) the intensity fluctuations. Evaluation of the scintillation index at the worst power law results in smaller fluctuations for a Gaussian beam at short propagation distances; however, at long propagation distances flatter beams happen to possess smaller fluctuations. The scintillation change versus the source size follows a similar trend regardless whether the flat-topped beam propagates in a Kolmogorov or non-Kolmogorov medium. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America