Theoretical prediction and experimental validation of the angle-of-arrival probability density of a laser beam in a strong plane-flame turbulence

The propagation of a laser beam through a plane turbulent flame is studied using geometrical optics approximation. The random fluctuations of the refractive index caused by a strong thermal turbulence in the flame create random perturbations of the laser beam direction. From the Markovian process model applied along the whole random path of the beam, the theoretical probability density of the laser beam angle-of-arrival is derived from the analytical solution of the Einstein–Fokker–Kolmogorov equation, which we have determined in terms of a series expansion of spherical harmonics. An experimental setup and a method for measuring this probability density are described. The experimental results obtained are shown to agree with the theoretical predictions.