chapter 1, Prologue

In Part 1 Basic Theory from: Laser Beam Propagation through Random Media, Second

Author(s): Larry C. Andrews, Ronald L. Phillips

Published: 16 September 2005

Chapter DOI: 10.1117/3.626196.ch1

Chapter Page Count: 32 pages

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Front Matter

Part 1 Basic Theory
1. Prologue

2. Random Processes and Random Fields

3. Optical Turbulence in the Atmosphere

4. Free-Space Propagation of Gaussian-Beam Waves

5. Classical Theory for Propagation Through Random Media

6. Second-Order Statistics: Weak Fluctuation Theory

7. Second-Order Statistics: Strong Fluctuation Theory

8. Fourth-Order Statistics: Weak Fluctuation Theory

9. Fourth-Order Statistics: Strong Fluctuation Theory

10. Propagation Through Complex Paraxial ABCD Optical Systems

Part II Applications
11. Free Space Optical Communication Systems

12. Laser Satellite Communication Systems

13. Double-Passage Problems: Laser Radar Systems

14. Imaging Systems Analysis

Part III Related Topics
15. Propagation Through Random Phase Screens

16. Partially Coherent Beams

17. Other Beam Shapes

18. Pulse Propagation

I. Special Functions

II. Integral Table

III. Tables of Beam Statistics

Back Matter

Preview

Chapter Contents

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Historical Background of Light
1.3 Optical Wave Models
1.4 Atmospheric Effects
1.5 Application Areas
1.6 A Brief Review of Communication Systems
1.7 Summary and Overview of the Book
References

Excerpt

Overview: In this first chapter we present an introduction/overview of material that is related to the propagation of laser beams through random media like the atmosphere. The intent here is to provide the reader with a broad view of the subject without the distraction of mathematical detail that is required in other chapters of the text. The wavelengths of interest throughout the text are the visible and infrared (IR) portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, although some results can readily be applied to other wavelengths like millimeter waves and, under some conditions, microwaves.

We begin by briefly introducing some of the standard optical wave models like the plane wave, spherical wave, and lowest-order Gaussian-beam wave. Next, we describe the origin of certain atmospheric effects (including meteorological phenomena) associated with propagating optical waves. Some of the traditional application areas are discussed for laser beam propagation—free space optical communications (FSO), laser radar, imaging, and remote sensing—followed by a short historical summary of developmental programs for laser satellite communication systems (lasersatcom) in the United States, Europe, and Japan. In the last section of this chapter we present an overview of the material contained in the remaining chapters, delineating the primary topics to be treated in each individual chapter.

DOI: 10.1117/3.626196.ch1

Your library does not subscribe to the eBooks portion of the SPIE Digital Library.