Propagation of vector vortex beams through a turbulent atmosphere.

We numerically study the propagation properties of vector vortex beams through a turbulent atmosphere. The irradiance pattern, degree of polarization, and scintillation index of radially polarized beam are computed for different propagation distances in an atmosphere with weak and strong turbulences. Corresponding properties of a fundamental Gaussian beam and a scalar vortex beam with topological charge of + 1 propagating through the same atmospheric turbulence conditions are calculated for comparison. With the same initial intensity profile, the vector vortex beam shows substantially lower scintillation than the scalar vortex. The existence of the vectorial vortex can be identified with longer propagation distance than the scalar vortex even with vanishing characteristic vortex structure in the irradiance images. This indicates the potential advantages of using a vector vortex beam to mitigate atmospheric effects and enable a more robust free space communication channel with longer link distance.