The major stages of how mathematical statistical physics has been used in the last fifty years to describe random medium electromagnetic wave (light) propagation are outlined. The statistical description is discussed either in terms of the scalar parabolic equation (quasioptical approximation) — when the governing parameters are needed, or by writing its functional integral solution — if the caustic structure of the wave field is to be analyzed.

PACS: 02.50.Ey, 41.20.Jb, 42.25.Dd (all) DOI: 10.1070/PU2004v047n02ABEH001685 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2004/2/e/ 000222400000005 2004PhyU...47..169K Citation: Klyatskin V I "Electromagnetic wave propagation in a randomly inhomogeneous medium as a problem in mathematical statistical physics" Phys. Usp. 47 169–186 (2004) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)Medline RefWorks RT Journal T1 Electromagnetic wave propagation in a randomly inhomogeneous medium as a problem in mathematical statistical physics A1 Klyatskin,V.I. PB Physics-Uspekhi PY 2004 FD 10 Feb, 2004 JF Physics-Uspekhi JO Phys. Usp. VO 47 IS 2 SP 169-186 DO 10.1070/PU2004v047n02ABEH001685 LK https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2004/2/e/ Оригинал: Кляцкин В И «Распространение электромагнитных волн в случайно-неоднородной среде как задача статистической математической физики» УФН 174 177–195 (2004); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0174.200402e.0177