Method of random wave vectors in simulation of anisoplanatic effects

A generalization of the method of random wave vectors [Appl. Opt. 36, 464 ( 1997)] that is suitable for a simulation of turbulence-induced anisoplanati c effects is proposed. A simulation of the cross-correlated phase fluctuati ons produced by two initially plane waves propagating through weak turbulen ce is considered. The variation of C-n(2) along a propagation path and an e ffect of the finite outer scale of the turbulence are included in the simul ation. The validity of the simulation method is verified by comparison of t heoretical and simulated results. The simulation approach developed can be used in the problems related to adaptive optics, speckle inteferometry, gui de stars, and imaging through turbulence. (C) 1999 Optical Society of Ameri ca.