Intensity properties of flat-topped vortex hollow beams propagating in atmospheric turbulence

The analytical propagation expressions for the average intensity of flat-topped vortex hollow beams in atmospheric turbulence are obtained by using the extended Huygens-Fresnel diffraction integral. And the influences of atmospheric turbulence on the average intensity of flat-topped vortex hollow beams are given by numerical examples. The results show that the flat-topped vortex hollow beams propagating in atmospheric turbulence will evolve into Gaussian-like beam with the propagation distance increasing, and the beam propagating in atmospheric turbulence with larger structure constant C-n(2) will lose its initial dark hollow centre more rapidly. (C) 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.