Study on self-repairing and non-diffraction of Airy beams in slant atmospheric turbulence

The Airy beams propagation in atmospheric turbulence along a slant path was simulated numerically, based on the split-step Fourier method. Also, the self-repairing and non-diffraction characteristics of Airy beams were investigated and compared with beams propagation on a horizontal path. The effects of parameters including zenith angle, propagation distance, radii of Gaussian aperture and turbulence intensity on the two characteristics of beams were revealed. Additionally, the two characteristics of the Airy beam were compared with those of a Bessel–Gauss beam. The results showed that the two beams obscured by Gaussian apertures can be repaired after propagating some distance along a slant path. However, the non-diffraction characteristic of an Airy beam was stronger than that of a Bessel–Gauss beam and the amplitude attenuation rate of the Bessel–Gauss beam was greater than that of the Airy beam in the process of self-repairing. Results obtained can provide a theoretical basis for an outdoor experiment as well as theoretical guidance for various practical applications including laser communications, laser warning systems, and remote sensing.