A detailed comparison of non-Kolmogorov and anisotropic optical turbulence theories using wave optics simulations

Daniel A. Paulson; Chensheng Wu; Christopher C. Davis

doi:10.1117/12.2323342

10 October 2018 A detailed comparison of non-Kolmogorov and anisotropic optical turbulence theories using wave optics simulations

Daniel A. Paulson, Chensheng Wu, Christopher C. Davis

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10770, Laser Communication and Propagation through the Atmosphere and Oceans VII; 107700X (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2323342
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2018, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

In recent years, theoretical studies of optical propagation through turbulence exhibiting statistical anisotropy and a non- Kolmogorov energy spectrum, with a power law unequal to 11/3^rds, have appeared regularly in the literature. In this study, we use split-step propagation wave optics simulations, together with FFT-based subharmonic phase screens to compare long-term beam spreading and scintillation index statistical projections using the Rytov method with theories leveraging coherence length-base perturbation terms. We demonstrate the latter method’s superior accuracy versus simulation for turbulence conditions above the weak fluctuation regime. The necessity of including low spatial frequency subharmonic components, with frequencies below the domain of simulation, to achieve agreement with theory for large magnitudes of the energy spectrum power law is demonstrated. Additionally, a new method of including low frequency components in the phase screens used in simulation with significant computation time improvements relative to the traditional subharmonic method is introduced.

Citation Download Citation

Daniel A. Paulson, Chensheng Wu, and Christopher C. Davis "A detailed comparison of non-Kolmogorov and anisotropic optical turbulence theories using wave optics simulations", Proc. SPIE 10770, Laser Communication and Propagation through the Atmosphere and Oceans VII, 107700X (10 October 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2323342

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