Intensity fluctuations of flat-topped beam in non-Kolmogorov weak turbulence

Abstract

Results obtained on the intensity fluctuations of flat-topped Gaussian beams in weakly turbulent non-Kolmogorov horizontal atmospheric optics links are represented. Effects on the scintillation index of the power law α that describes the non-Kolmogorov spectrum are examined. Our results correctly reduce to the existing intensity fluctuations of flat-topped beams in Kolmogorov turbulence. Variation of the scintillation index against non-Kolmogorov power law α exhibits a peak at the worst power law α(w), which happens to be smaller than the Kolmogorov power law of 11/3. If the power law is smaller (larger) than α(w), increase in α will increase (decrease) the intensity fluctuations. Evaluation of the scintillation index at the worst power law results in smaller fluctuations for a Gaussian beam at short propagation distances; however, at long propagation distances flatter beams happen to possess smaller fluctuations. The scintillation change versus the source size follows a similar trend regardless whether the flat-topped beam propagates in a Kolmogorov or non-Kolmogorov medium.