Non-Gaussian Phase Screen Based on log-Poisson Distribution and Effect on Imaging

Abstract

Gaussian models without intermittency are extensively used in estimating the effect of turbulence, but it also brings some puzzles, for example the observed pulse shape that disagrees with the result of the standard theory of interstellar scintillations. Indeed the property of intermittency is inherent in turbulence, i.e., all the quantities that characterize it suffer from strong fluctuations. So it is necessary to consider turbulent intermittency in many applications. In this paper we propose a non-Gaussian phase screen, which obeys log-Poisson statistics, and also offers the corresponding point spread function (PSF). These results describe that intermittency leads to the more extent and different directional distribution of PSF. Theoretical analysis is made under the hypothesis of the phase difference satisfying log-Poisson statistics, and the average point spread function, which accord qualitatively with the result of the above generated phase screen, is derived.