Propagation Properties of Radially-Polarized Vector Beams Under a Turbulent Atmosphere

Based on the von Karman spectral model, a step-by-step phase screen method is employed in this study to simulate the propagation characteristics of radially-polarized vector beams with different orders in the Kolmobarov's atmospheric turbulence. Furthermore, the Stokes vectors, scintillation index, and radial deviations of gravity centers of beams are analyzed. The simulation results show that the maximum discriminating distance of the ring features of the radially-polarized vector beam under an atmospheric turbulence is larger than that of the scalar vortex beam, and its scintillation index and the radial deviation of the gravity center of beams are smaller than those of scalar vortex beams. High-order beam can maintain its ring shape features at a larger distance than that of a low-order beam, and the scintillation index and the radial deviation of gravity center of beam for high-order beams are observed to be smaller. The Stokes vectors images of the radially-polarized vector beams get diffused and distorted. In conclusion, the radially-polarized vector beams have better turbulence resistance than the scalar vortex beams under an atmospheric turbulence, and high-order beams exhibit better properties than low-order beams in some way.