Wave optics simulation of anisotropic turbulence

A numerical wave optics approach is introduced for simulating beam propagation through anisotropic turbulence. A recently proposed model for anisotropic turbulence is applied and Gaussian beam propagation through the turbulence is implemented for various turbulence strengths and spectral power law α ranging from 3 to 4. Theoretical irradiance expressions are derived and are used to provide comparisons and verification of the wave optics simulation results. Good agreement is found between the simulations and theory except when the spectral index α approaches 4. This work provides a good starting point for understanding the behavior of Gaussian beam propagation in anisotropic turbulence.