Propagation of an Infinite Plane Wave in a Randomly Inhomogeneous Medium

Abstract

The results concerning the log-amplitude covariance for propagation of an infinite plane wave through a turbulent medium as derived by Tatarski, are developed further in analytic form. The numerical-integration data obtained by Tatarski for horizontal propagation are replaced by analytic results. Propagation of starlight down through the atmosphere is studied using a function fitted to Hufnagel’s data for the vertical distribution of turbulence. Here, also, analytic results are obtained, representing the first available data for the covariance of log-amplitude fluctuations of starlight. Results for the phase-structure functions for both types of propagation path are presented.