Numerical solutions for the fourth moment of a finite beam propagating in a random medium

Abstract

Numerical solutions of the fourth-moment differential equation are obtained for a finite, initially Gaussian beam propagating in a. two-dimensional homogeneous and isotropic random medium with a Gaussian correlation function. In addition to the covariance of the intensity fluctuations, the full spatial dependence of the fourth moment of the propagating field is described for several beam diameters and propagation lengths.