Propagation factor of a truncated partially coherent flat-topped beam in turbulent atmosphere

Analytical expression for the propagation factor of a truncated partially coherent flat-topped (FT) beam in turbulent atmosphere is derived based on the extended Huygens-Fresnel integral and the second-order moments of the Wigner distribution function. Numerical results show that the radius of the aperture (i.e., truncation parameter) has strong influence on the evolution properties of the propagation factor of a truncated partially coherent FT beam, and the advantage of a truncated partially coherent FT beam over a truncated Gaussian Schell-model (GSM) beam or a truncated coherent FT beam for overcoming the turbulence-induced degradation disappears gradually with the decrease of the radius of the aperture. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.