Abstract

In studies of propagation through random media, an equation was developed that governs the propagation of the fourth-order coherence function. Here, we use this equation, without the scattering term, to investigate the propagation of the fourth-order coherence function in free space. Irradiance fluctuations are studied as a special case for infinite and finite beams. For a finite beam, the normalized on-axis irradiance fluctuations that result from a weak phase screen reach a maximum value before decaying to zero as the propagation distance becomes very large. In agreement with earlier results, the infinite beam is found to approach a constant value.

© 1974 Optical Society of America

Propagation of the Fourth-Order Coherence Function in a Random Medium*

T. L. Ho and M. J. Beran
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 58(10) 1335-1341 (1968)

Propagation of the Fourth-Order Coherence Function in a Random Medium (a Nonperturbative Formulation)*

M. J. Beran and T. L. Ho
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 59(9) 1134-1138 (1969)

Asymptotic theory of irradiance fluctuations in a beam propagating in a random medium

Alan M. Whitman and Mark J. Beran
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 65(7) 765-768 (1975)

Irradiance fluctuations of a spherical wave propagating under saturation conditions*

H. T. Yura
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 64(11) 1526-1530 (1974)

Mutual coherence function and frequency spectrum of a laser beam propagating through atmospheric turbulence

Ronald L. Fante
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 64(5) 592-598 (1974)