Beam propagation factor of partially coherent Hermite-Gaussian beams through non-Kolmogorov turbulence

Based on extended Huygens-Fresnel principle, an analytical expression of M(2) factor for partially coherent Hermite-Gaussian (PCHG) beams through non-Kolmogorov turbulence is obtained. Our results show that M(2) factor of PCHG beams depends on coherence length, beam order m, wavelength, exponent value alpha, outer scale L(0) and inner scale l(0). The impact of the exponent's variation on the M(2) factor is analyzed in detail. When the propagation distance fixed, the M(2) factor of PCHG beams has a maximum for alpha values lower than 11/3. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.