Abstract

The differential equations underlying the non-linear dynamics of turbulent fluid flow are extended to the transport of optical energy and optical phase in coherent laser speckle. Since light acts like a pure, incompressible, inviscid fluid, the momentum and mass transport of the Navier-Stokes equations translate directly to the intensity and phase transport equations in scalar diffraction theory, respectively. The non-linear term in the phase transport equation describes the emergence of turbulent dynamics near cusps and singularities in the optical field. Measurements of diffuser generated coherent speckle intensity with propagation directly demonstrate principles of turbulent flow in light.

© 2018 The Author(s)