Two‐frequency mutual coherence function and pulse propagation in a random medium: An analytic solution to the plane wave case

Pulse propagation in a random medium is determined by the two‐frequency mutual coherence function which satisfies a parabolic equation. In the past, approximate or numerical solutions of this equation have been reported. This paper presents an exact analytical solution for a plane wave case when the random medium is approximated by A(0) − A(ρ) ∝ ρ2. Analytic expressions for two‐frequency mutual coherence function, pulse shape, temporal and angular spectra are presented in universal forms, and should be applicable to a large number of practical problems.