Optimizing calculation of phase screen distribution with minimum condition along an inhomogeneous turbulent path

When building an experimental platform for light propagation along an inhomogeneous turbulent path, it is very essential to set up the reasonable distribution of phase screen. Based on multi-layered model of phase screen, an iterative optimization algorithm of phase screen position is given in this paper. Thereafter, the optimal position of phase screens is calculated under the Hufnagel-Valley5/7 and Hefei-day turbulence profile. The results show that the positions of phase screen calculated by the iterative algorithm can fit well with the turbulence profile rather than mechanically placed phase screens at equal distance. Compared with the uniform distribution of phase screens position, the residual phase error of the iterative algorithm decreases very significantly. The similarity degree between them is minimal when number of layers is equal to two.