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arXiv · 1411.6001

Enhanced backscatter of optical beams reflected in turbulent air

W. Nelson·J. P. Palastro·C. Wu·C. C. Davis
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Abstract

Optical beams propagating through air acquire phase distortions from turbulent fluctuations in the refractive index. While these distortions are usually deleterious to propagation, beams reflected in a turbulent medium can undergo a local recovery of spatial coherence and intensity enhancement referred to as enhanced backscatter (EBS). Using a combination of lab-scale experiments and simulations, we investigate the EBS of optical beams reflected from corner cubes and rough surfaces, and identify the regimes in which EBS is most distinctly observed.

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W. Nelson, J. P. Palastro, C. Wu, C. C. Davis. 2014-11-21. Enhanced backscatter of optical beams reflected in turbulent air. https://doi.org/10.1364/josaa.32.001371

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