Expressions of the scintillation index for optical waves propagating through weak non-Kolmogorov turbulence based on the generalized atmospheric spectral model

The high frequency “bump” which occurs in the turbulence spectral model just prior to the turbulence cell dissipation is important for the analysis of the irradiance scintillation for optical wave propagating through atmospheric turbulence. In this study, expressions of the irradiance scintillation index are developed from the generalized modified atmospheric spectral model for optical waves propagating through weak non-Kolmogorov turbulence. Compared with the expressions of the irradiance scintillation index derived from the general non-Kolmogorov spectral model, the new expressions can consider the influences of finite turbulence inner and outer scales and the influence of finite diameter aperture receiver. As the irradiance scintillation is caused mainly by the small scale turbulence cells' diffractive effects for weak turbulence, the turbulence outer scale's influence can be ignored. Numerical simulations show that variable inner scale values produce obvious effects on the irradiance scintillation for non-Kolmogorov turbulence.

► Expressions of the irradiance scintillation index are developed for non-Kolmogorov turbulence. ► The effects of finite turbulence inner and outer scales are considered. ► The effects of finite turbulence inner on the irradiance scintillation are significant. ► The high frequency “bump” property introduced by the turbulence inner scale is well exhibited.