Monte Carlo method in nonlinear statistical optics

The state of the art of the Monte Carlo studies of randomly modulated optical waves in regular and randomly inhomogeneous nonlinear media is reviewed. A wide range of phenomena dealt with in nonlinear statistical optics are discussed, including self-phase noise pulse modulation, the self-action of partially coherent beams, the formation and instability of solitons, stimulated Raman scattering, intensive light beams in a turbulent atmosphere, and adaptive radiation focusing. Special attention is given to the justification of the phase screen model for a randomly inhomogeneous nonlinear continuum, and the numerical simulation of random light fields is discussed in detail.