Spatial correlation properties of Gaussian–Schell model beams propagating through atmospheric turbulence

Abstract

Abstract The closed-form expressions for the spectral degree of coherence and the width of the spectral degree of coherence of Gaussian–Schell model (GSM) beams propagating through atmospheric turbulence are derived. The influence of atmospheric turbulence on the spectral correlation properties of GSM beams is studied both analytically and numerically. A comparison between the width of the spectral degree of coherence and that of the spectral intensity of GSM beams propagating through atmospheric turbulence is also given. Some interesting results are obtained, which are different from those obtained previously, and are explained physically. Keywords: Gaussian–Schell model (GSM) beamatmospheric turbulencespectral degree of coherencewidth of spectral degree of coherencewidth of spectral intensity Acknowledgement This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 60778048.