Integrating optical turbulence into Beer's law

Abstract

A new quantity is introduced for characterization of the on-axis attenuation of a finite laser beam caused by a turbulent medium. It then can be incorporated into the Beer's law accounting for the extended medium's absorption and scattering, and hence provides a simple tool for comparison among the effects of turbulence, absorption and scattering on light. The application of the new attenuation coefficient to atmospheric and oceanic turbulence is illustrated.