Average spreading of finite energy Airy beams in non-Kolmogorov turbulence

By using the RMS beam width as the parameter to characterize spreading property, we show that the far-field beam spreading and direction of finite energy Airy beams through non-Kolmogorov atmospheric turbulence are independent of the transverse scales and the exponential truncation factor of the source. The effects of the transverse scale, the exponential truncation factor, exponent value alpha, C-n (similar to 2), and inner and outer scales of atmospheric turbulence on beam spreading are studied in detail by numerical examples. The finite energy Airy beam has larger spreading with smaller inner scale or larger outer scale and C-n(similar to 2). The results are useful for practical applications, i.e., remote sensing and atmospheric optical communication. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.