Electromagnetic fractional multi-Gaussian Schell-model beams and their statistical properties

Abstract

A recently introduced class of scalar fractional multi-Gaussian Schell-model beams is extended to electromagnetic domain. The conditions on source parameters guaranteeing that the source generates a physical beam are derived. Analytical formulas for the cross-spectral density matrix elements of the electromagnetic fractional multi-Gaussian Schell-model (EM FMGSM) beams propagating in non-Kolmogorov turbulence are derived. The behaviour of the statistical characteristics, including the spectral density, the degree of coherence and the degree of polarization, of the beam on propagation in free space and non-Kolmogorov turbulence are investigated. It is shown that by choosing appropriate parameters of the beam and the turbulence, we can alleviate influence of the turbulent atmospheric effects effectively. Our findings may be useful in material surface processing and free-space optical communications.