Bidirectional Propagation Properties of Partially Coherent Laguerre–Gaussian Beams in Atmospheric Turbulence and Plasma

The bidirectional propagation properties of partially coherent Laguerre–Gaussian (PCLG) beams under atmospheric turbulence and plasma were numerically investigated. The corresponding analytical formulas for the intensity distribution, effective beam width, and <i>M</i>² factor of PCLG beams were derived by utilizing the generalized Collins integral formula, atmospheric turbulence theory, and second-order moments theory of the Wigner distribution function. The intensity distribution of the PCLG beams ultimately evolved into a Gaussian-like intensity distribution. Additionally, the effective beam width and <i>M</i>² factor could be less affected by selecting appropriate parameter values for the beam order, transverse coherence width, and wavelength of the PCLG beam. The impact of parameters such as the beam order, transverse coherence width, and wavelength for reverse transmission on the PCLG beam propagation properties was greater than that for forward transmission. These results are beneficial for applications in free-space optical communications.