Propagation characteristics of a focused perfect vortex beam array in slant-path non-Kolmogorov maritime atmospheric turbulence

The propagation characteristics of high-energy lasers in slant-path non-Kolmogorov maritime atmospheric turbulence are complicated due to the competition between turbulence and thermal blooming effects. The exploration of laser beams with enhanced turbulence and thermal blooming resistance has emerged as a critical issue for high-energy laser engineering applications. Based on this, by means of a four-dimensional simulation model combining the turbulence and the thermal blooming, the propagation characteristics of a perfect vortex beam array in a slant-path non-Kolmogorov maritime atmosphere have been analyzed in detail. The influence of the parameters, such as the topological charges, widths of the annulus, beam widths, altitudes, and zenith angles, has been analyzed. In addition, the comparison of the propagation characteristics of the Gaussian beam array, vortex beam array, and perfect vortex beam array was carried out. Results indicate that, with appropriate selection of the parameters, the perfect vortex beam array exhibits better performance over the vortex beam array and the Gaussian beam array in suppressing the combined effects of atmospheric turbulence and thermal blooming. We hope these results may provide useful guidance for high-energy laser applications in slant-path non-Kolmogorov maritime atmospheric turbulence.