K distributions in atmospheric propagation of laser light

Experimental results are presented which suggest that the probability distribution of fluctuations in the intensity of laser light propagating through atmospheric turbulence are reasonably well described by K distributions in the intermediate range of propagation path lengths, L ≃ 600 m, β0≃1–2, where the mean square fluctuation 〈I2〉 /〈I〉2 can be as high as five.