Hermite Gaussian beam scintillations in weak atmospheric turbulence for aerial vehicle laser communications

Abstract

Scintillation index of Hermite Gaussian beams used for air vehicle communication systems in vertical paths of weak atmospheric turbulent medium are investigated by employing the modified Rytov method. By evaluating the on-axis scintillation index, variations of the scintillation indices of these beams are examined against the changes in the Gaussian beam size of the Hermite Gaussian beam mode, propagation distances and the zenith angles at the realistic propagation distances involved in uplink and downlink configurations. In the atmospheric environment, for uplink, the Hermite Gaussian beam modes have no advantage over the Gaussian beams at short propagation distances like L = 20 km,as well as at long propagation distances like L = 700 km. However, for downlink, although Hermite Gaussian beam modes are disadvantageous over the Gaussian beams at short propagation distances like L = 20 km, they are found advantageous over the Gaussian beams at long propagation distances like L = 700 km. The results of this study may encourage to use Hermite Gaussian beams, especially in the air vehicle laser communication links, and can be used in the design of an optical wireless communication link utilizing the vertical atmospheric medium.