Propagation of non-uniformly polarized beams in a turbulent atmosphere

Based on the extended Huygens–Fresnel diffraction integral, the propagation of non-uniformly polarized (NUP) beam in a turbulent atmosphere has been investigated. The influence of the source parameters and the atmospheric turbulence on the intensity distribution and polarization distribution has been studied in great details. It is shown that the non-uniform polarization of the beam influences the intensity distribution and makes the polarization distribution oscillate in the output plane. It is also found that the atmospheric turbulence can reduce the influence of non-uniform polarization of the beam on the intensity distribution and polarization distribution in the output plane.