Abstract

Parabolic equation for the electromagnetic wave propagation in random medium is extended to include the depolarization effect in the narrow-angle, forward scattering setting. Closed-form parabolic equation for propagation of the coherence tensor are derived under Markov approximation model. For the general bounded partially-coherent polarized beam wave this equation can be reduced to a system of ordinary differential equations admitting a simple numeric solution. Analytical solutions are available for the homogeneous partially coherent polarized waves. Estimates based on the perturbation solution support the common assumption that the depolarization at the optical frequencies is negligible for atmospheric turbulence propagation.

© 2015 Optical Society of America