Propagation of Hermite-cosh-Gaussian laser beams in turbulent atmosphere

Abstract

The propagation characteristics of Hermite-cosh-Gaussian (HCG) beams in turbulence are studied. To this end, from a HCG source plane excitation, the average intensity of the receiver plane is developed analytically. This formulation is verified against the existing solution of HCG beams in free space. The results indicate that upon traveling in turbulent atmosphere, the HCG beam will undergo three stages of evolution. Initially, it will preserve the original profile. Then, with source parameters of right choice, this beam will turn into a sine shape if the sum of mode indices is odd, and into a cos shape if the sum of mode indices is even. Eventually however, HCG originated beam will become a pure Gassian beam. The dependence of these stages on source and propagation conditions is investigated. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.