Trajectory of an optical vortex has been identified for its propagation in atmospheric turbulence using numerical simulations. An analytical expression has been found, relating the radial departure of the vortex in plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation, to the refractive index structure function parameter and the inner scale of turbulence. The angular orientation of the vortex in the same transverse plane is found to be related to the anisotropy of the medium. The obtained results provide an alternative way to find turbulent parameters with the help of optical vortices.

• Received 6 May 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.80.046609