Propagation of low‑quality laser beams in turbulent air: new fast simulation methods and experimental results

Abstract

Novel inherently fast methods basing upon fundamental Gaussian modes are presented to numerically simulate the propagation behavior of a low-quality laser beam, i.e., a beam characterized by a high quality factor M2, in turbulent air. Actually, for a given initial diameter, beam wandering and spread at the target position is calculated. Test results are checked against respective simulations using higher-order mode beams having clearly defined quality factors and nearly perfect agreement is demonstrated. Experiments performed on the German Aerospace Center (DLR) laser test range at Lampoldshausen near Stuttgart satisfactorily accord with the predictions of the proposed simulation techniques.