Beam propagation analysis of a multi beam FSO system with partially flat-topped laser beams in turbulent atmosphere

In this paper, the propagation properties of partially coherent flat-topped (PCFT) laser beams in multi-beam FSO communication links are analyzed. Analytical expressions for the average intensity and beam width of PCFT multi beams are derived based on extended Huygens–Fresnel principle by considering the effects of turbulent atmosphere. Also power in bucket (PIB) is calculated numerically based on analytical expression of average intensity. It is revealed that PCFT multi beams can be converted into a Gaussian beam after sufficiently large propagation distance. It is found that correlation length, order of flatness and beams’ separation distances in the source plane have strong effects on minimum distance required for this conversion as well as beam width and PIB. Obtained results are confirmed and illustrated with numerical examples and resulted graphs.