Turbulent Free-Space Optical Communication Utilizing Degree of Polarization

Abstract

Free-space optical (FSO) communication is often subject to atmospheric turbulence, which can result in loss of data and introduce security threats. Degree of polarization (DOP), a classical property of propagating light, is shown to be preserved when passed through experimentally generated turbulence. We also find that the state of polarization is preserved. Due to this resistance to turbulence, which does not require adaptive optics or post processing, we suggest that DOP could pose a valuable degree-of-freedom for multiplexed FSO communication and basis dependent encryption schemes. Experimental and simulation results are compared.