Interferometric study of phase fluctuations of laser radiation

An interferometric method is proposed for studying the phase fluctuations of laser radiation during propagation in media with random inhomogeneities. It differs from other methods in that the beam is split into two by the first mirror of a Jamin interferometer before the beam enters the medium. The visibility of the intereference pattern is related functionally to the correlation coefficient of the amplitude fluctuations and the structure function of the phase fluctuations. Results found in an experimental study of phase fluctuations by this method are reported. © 1973 Consultants Bureau