Mode correction for turbulent distortions of optical waves

An analysis of the field phase structure is used to investigate the coherence of radiation propagating in a turbulent atmosphere along a straight path and reflected from a trihedral corner reflector. It is found that for R≫r₀ (R is the reflector size and r₀ is the coherence radius of the radiation), the coherence of the reflected field is almost restored. Anisotropy of the spatial coherence is observed. Experimental studies using a model medium confirmed these results.