Two-color correlation between intensity fluctuations in atmospheric turbulence

• We investigated the correlation between intensity fluctuations generated by two various wavelengths.
• The influences arising from source correlation and perturbation of atmosphere are emphasized.
• It is shown that the correlation between intensity fluctuations can be enhanced or reduced.

The correlation between intensity fluctuations generated by two varying wavelengths through a turbulent medium is investigated, where the influences arising from source correlation and perturbation of atmosphere are mainly emphasized. It is demonstrated that the correlation between intensity fluctuations can be enhanced or reduced by modulating the difference of two incident wavelengths. For shorter wavelength, the correlation between intensity fluctuations is stronger at the far field. In addition, in the case of single wavelength, a relationship λ1z1=λ2z2=λnznλ1z1=λ2z2=λnzn holding in free space could be found, from which the distance where the peak value occurs may be inferred. However, it can be destroyed by increasing the strength of atmosphere.