Statistical properties of correlated radial stochastic electromagnetic array beams on propagation

A kind of array beam named the correlated radial stochastic electromagnetic array beam that is generated by an electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model source is introduced by use of tensor method. The analytical expression for the cross-spectral density matrix of this array beam propagating through the turbulent atmosphere and in free space is obtained after performing vector integration. Some typical numerical calculations are illustrated for the changes in the spectral density, spectral degree of polarization, and spectral degree of coherence of the beam on propagation. We find that the atmospheric turbulence can destroy the correlated effect among the beamlets. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.