Turbulence-induced changes in the state of polarization of partially polarized, partially coherent pulsed electromagnetic beams propagating through anisotropic turbulence

The changes in the state of polarization of partially polarized, partially coherent pulsed electromagnetic beams propagating along a horizontal path through anisotropic turbulence are investigated. Unpolarized and partially polarized, partially coherent pulsed electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model beams are compared in terms of the turbulence-induced changes in the spectral degree of polarization. Our analysis is focused on models pertaining to electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model pulsed beams but can either be readily reduced to scalar or be readily generalized to other beam classes. Within the framework of the anisotropic generalized exponential spectrum, considering simultaneously the finite inner and outer scales of turbulence and the asymmetric property of turbulence eddies in the orthogonal xy-plane throughout the propagation path, we derive analytical expressions for the cross-spectral density matrix, spectral degree of polarization, orientation angle, and degree of ellipticity. Finally, we study the effects of the anisotropic turbulence parameter on the spectral degree of polarization, orientation angle, and degree of ellipticity of the beams. Our results can be useful for applications involving partially polarized, partially coherent pulsed beams propagating through atmospheric turbulence. (C) 2019 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)