Based on the extended Huygens–Fresnel principal and the Wigner distribution function, the root mean square (rms) angular width and propagation factor (M²-factor) of partially coherent anomalous elliptical hollow Gaussian (PCAEHG) beam propagating through atmospheric turbulence along a slant path are studied in detail. Analytical formulae of the rms angular width and M²-factor of PCAEHG beam are derived. Our results show that the rms angular width increases with increasing of wavelength and zenith angle and with decreasing of transverse coherence length, beam waist sizes and inner scale. The M²-factor increases with increasing of zenith angle and with decreasing of wavelength, transverse coherence length, beam waist sizes and inner scale. The saturation propagation distances (SPDs) increase as zenith angle increases. The numerical calculations also indicate that the SPDs of rms angular width and M²-factor for uplink slant paths with zenith angle of π/12 are about 0.2 and 20 km, respectively.

Propagation properties of a partially coherent dark hollow beam (PC-DHB) in inhomogeneous atmospheric turbulence are studied in detail. Analytical formulae for the root-mean-square (rms) spatial width, rms angular width, M²-factor of PC-DHB in inhomogeneous turbulence are derived based on the extended Huygens–Fresnel integral. It is found that PC-DHB spreads in inhomogeneous turbulence more rapidly than the free space, and the saturation propagation distances (SPDs) of relative spatial and angular spreadings for uplink slant paths with zenith angles of 45° or less are about 5 and 0.6 km, respectively. M²-factor of PC-DHB in turbulence depends on beam order, waist width, inner scale of the turbulence and the SPD of the normalized M²-factor for the propagation with zenith angles of 45° or less is about 30 km. Our results are useful for the free space optical communications and the beam propagation in the slant path.

We investigate the evolution properties of a partially coherent Laguerre–Gaussian vector vortex (LGVV) beam through inhomogeneous atmospheric turbulence. Analytical formulae for the elements of a cross-spectral density matrix of a partially coherent LGVV beam propagating in turbulence are derived with the help of the extended Huygens–Fresnel principle. Our outcomes demonstrate that the normalized initial profile of a partially coherent beam with concentric dark rings gradually evolves into a Gaussian-like beam profile in turbulence. We also find that the beam is emitted at a large zenith angle and quickly converts to a Gaussian-like beam. Furthermore, it is also shown that a propagation beam with a large topological charge has a stronger ability to resist atmospheric turbulence. In order to confirm our numerical results, we combine the complex screen method and multi-phase screen method to simulate the propagation of a partially coherent LGVV beam in atmospheric turbulence. It is indicated that the simulation results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. Our results will pave the way for the development of free-space optical communications and remote sensing.

We derive the analytical expressions for root-mean-square (rms) beam wander (BW) and relative BW of a twisted electromagnetic elliptical vortex (TEEV) beam propagating through non-Kolmogorov atmospheric turbulence with the help of the extended Huygens–Fresnel principle and the second-order moments of the Wigner distribution function (WDF). Our numerical findings demonstrate that the BW of a TEEV beam with a small ellipticity, a large topological charge as well as a small waist width and initial coherent length is less affected by the turbulence. It can be also found that the effect of turbulence with a larger outer scale of turbulence, a generalized exponent parameter, and a generalized structure parameter on BW is more obvious. It is interesting to find that the effect of atmospheric turbulence on BW for a TEEV beam can be effectively reduced by regulating jointly the symbols and sizes of the twisted factor and topological charge. Therefore, modulation of the structure parameters of a TEEV beam provides a new way to mitigate turbulence-induced beam wander. Our work will be useful for free-space optical communications, remote sensing, and lidar distance measurement.