There has been an ever-increasing demand for high data rates and security in underwater communication networks as well as sensor applications; the use of lasers has proven to be a realistic option given its inherently high bandwidth as well as low probability of intercept and detection by opponents. That said, laser light experiences degradation when propagated through random media, such as experienced underwater due to optical turbulence, absorption, and scattering. We are motivated to investigate the encoding, propagation, and performance of beams carrying orbital angular momentum through underwater turbulence as a mechanism for utilization in a high-performance communication system. Additionally, we seek to explore and quantify the performance characteristics of neural network techniques to classify and decode the received beams.
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