Propagation of optical waves in a randomly inhomogeneous medium

Some aspects of the influence of a randomly inhomogeneous atmosphere on the propagation of coherent light waves are examined. The topics covered include the development of approximate methods for solving stochastic wave equations; the description of the propagation process on the basis of approximate equations for stochastic moments of the field; the solution of concrete problems of wave scattering by turbulence-generated inhomogeneities; and the solution of problems involving laser-induced irregularities in a medium. New physical results characterizing the propagation of laser beams in the atmosphere are examined.