Enhanced fiber-coupling efficiency via high-order partially coherent flat-topped beams for free-space optical communications

Abstract

The fiber-coupling efficiency of signal beams is crucial in free space optical (FSO) communications. Herein, we derived an analytical expression for the fiber-coupling efficiency of partially coherent flat-topped beams propagating through atmospheric turbulence based on the cross-spectral density function. Our numerical calculation results showed that the fiber-coupling efficiency of partially coherent flat-topped beams in a turbulent atmosphere could be enhanced by increasing the beam order. Under the same conditions, the fiber-coupling efficiency of the high-order partially coherent flat-topped beams was larger than those connected to the Gaussian and Gaussian Schell-model (GSM) beams. Our results will improve the quality of partially coherent beams used in FSO communications.