Optical Turbulent Structures

Abstract

The problem of describing optical turbulent structures, arising in resonant media with high Fresnel numbers, is reviewed. The consideration is based on the probabilistic approach to pattern selection, ascribing a probability distribution of patterns to systems with multiple possible structures. The most probable structure corresponds to the minimal expansion exponent, or to the minimal expansion rate, characterizing the phase-space expansion of a dynamical system. Turbulent photon filamentation is studied. The most probable filament radius and the number of filaments are found, being in good agreement with experiment.