We have determined the optimal beams for free-space optical transmission through atmospheric turbulence. These are stochastic eigenmodes derived analytically from a canonical turbulence model, assuming known turbulence statistics. Under weak or strong turbulence, using these modes as transmit and receive bases minimizes signal degradation by turbulence, and minimizes the complexity of any signal processing method employed to compensate for turbulence. These modes can be mapped to/from single-mode waveguides by fundamentally lossless modal multiplexers and demultiplexers. Adaptive optics can be replaced by adaptive multi-input multi-output signal processing, enabling compensation of fast fluctuations of both phase and amplitude.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft
