Intensity and polarization properties of elliptically polarized vortex beams in turbulent atmosphere

•The BCP matrix of the EP vortex beam in turbulent atmosphere has been derived.•Average intensity and degree of polarization are simulated in detail.•The doughnut beam profile of the EP vortex beam evolves into a Gaussian beam shape.•A dip occurs in distribution of the degree of polarization.•The dip is wider for the longer propagation distance and larger topological charge.

Based on the extended Huygens–Fresnel principle, the propagation of elliptically polarized vortex beams in a turbulent atmosphere is investigated. The analytical expressions for the average intensity and degree of polarization of the elliptically polarized vortex beams are derived in a turbulent atmosphere, respectively. The influences of polarization ellipticity, topological charge, beam width, and structure constant of the atmospheric turbulence on average intensity and degree of polarization are numerically demonstrated and analyzed in detail.