Laboratory simulation of non-Kolmogorov turbulence based on a liquid crystal spatial light modulator

Abstract

An experimental platform was built for the atmospheric turbulence simulation upon a liquid crystal spatial light modulator. The phase-only spatial light modulator is driven by a series of dynamic phase screens that have non-Kolmogorov turbulence characteristics. After passing through the simulated non-Kolmogorov turbulence, the angle-of-arrival (AoA) and light intensity of the laser beam were analyzed statistically. The variation trends of the AoA fluctuation and the scintillation index exhibited by the experimental results are in accordance with the theoretical predictions. Although there was some divergence between the experiments and theory that needs to be improved further, the experimental data demonstrate the feasibility of using the platform to simulate the turbulence influence on laser communication in the lab.