Propagation properties of partially coherent higher-order cosh-Gaussian beam in non-Kolmogorov turbulence

Based on the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle and second-order moments of the Wigner distribution function (WDF), the analytical formulation for the average intensity, the root-mean-square (rms) beam width and M-2-factor of partially coherent higher-order cosh-Gaussian (ChG) beams propagating in non-Kolmogorov turbulence are derived. The influences of the beam parameters and the spectrum parameters associated with the non-Kolmogorov turbulence on the propagation properties of partially coherent higher-order ChG beams in non-Kolmogorov turbulence are numerically investigated. Numerical results reveal that partially coherent higher-order ChG beams with higher beam order, larger decentered parameter and smaller coherence length are less affected by the turbulence. Furthermore, it is found that the beams will be more affected by the turbulence with smaller inner scale, larger outer scale or larger structure constant. In addition, numerical results reveal that the propagation properties of beams in non-Kolmogorov turbulence are largely dependent on the generalized exponent a, the structure constant, the inner and outer scale, which is much different from that in the case of Kolmogorov turbulence. This research may be useful for the practical applications of partially coherent higher-order ChG beams in connection with optical communications and the remote sensing. Crown Copyright (c) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.