Physics
Scientific paper
Jun 1974
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1974rpph...37..771t&link_type=abstract
Reports on Progress in Physics, vol. 37, no. 6, 1974, p. 771-816.
Physics
2
Coherent Light, Interferometry, Lasers, Luminous Intensity, Quantum Mechanics, Correlation, Diffraction Patterns, Michelson Interferometers, Optical Polarization, Thermal Emission, Transient Response
Scientific paper
An account is given of optical coherence theory as it existed in the 1950s when, essentially, only thermal sources and slow detectors were available and it sufficed to characterize the coherence and polarization properties of an electromagnetic field by second-order correlation functions. The necessity for a more sophisticated specification of the coherence properties of fields, involving the use of higher-order correlation functions, first hinted at by the Hanbury-Brown-Twiss experiments and emphasized by the advent of the laser, is then introduced. Both classical and quantum mechanical treatments are discussed, each leading, in almost all cases of practical interest, to similar results. It is seen that the development of fast detectors enabled the higher-order correlation functions to be measured using photon counting techniques and an account of experimental work verifying the complete theory using such techniques is given.
Troup G. J.
Turner R. G.
No associations
LandOfFree
Optical coherence theory does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Optical coherence theory, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical coherence theory will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-986691