Exploration of an Alternative Refractive Index Spectrum Model and its Effects on a Laser Beam Propagating Though Random Media

Propagation of electromagnetic radiation through atmospheric turbulence has been a subject of study for over eight decades. With ever expanding applications of lasers, more attention has been paid recently to the interaction between atmospheric turbulence and laser beams propagating over greater and greater distances. For applications in communication, directed energy weapons and wireless power transmission the focused laser beam geometry is of particular interest. To increase understanding of the interaction between atmospheric turbulence and propagating laser beams a series of field campaigns were designed and conducted. These field campaigns provided a focused beam configuration propagated over different ranges and at different intensities of atmospheric turbulence. Collimated laser data was also collected to corroborate the findings. These field campaigns generated temperature spectral data that did not agree with existing temperature spectral models near the ground. Given the relationship between temperature spectral models and refractive index, a previously unexplored refractive index spectral model is examined. The unexplored refractive index spectral model provides a better fit to experimental temperature spectral data. Existing second order weak and strong fluctuation theory is modified to accommodate a novel refractive index spectral model. The results from the modified second order weak and strong fluctuation theory are compared to field campaign laser data and to split step wave optics simulations