Phase screen modeling of vortex beam propagation through a turbid medium

Laser based applications leveraging coherent laser sources are subject to optical distortions created by random media containing particles with radii comparable to the optical wavelength. Light propagation through such media can be approached using statistical optics by the implementation of phase screen simulations. A phase screen represents a statistical realization of the optical phase shifts accumulated during propagation derived from a medium’s optical phase power spectrum. The phase power spectrum of a turbid medium is connected to the medium’s particle distribution by the medium’s volume scattering function using radiative transfer theory. Such a model is limited to small-angle forward scattering and small propagation geometries to prevent aliasing by high angle scattered light. Using this relationship, the statistics of the generated phase screens are studied and applied to the propagation of optical vortex beams through turbid water. Experimental orbital angular momentum mode spectrum measurements and intensity attenuation data are presented showing good agreement with the model.