Abstract

The higher-order coherence functions of optical fields involving phase fluctuations have not yet been studied extensively. We discuss here an experiment which can in principle yield the fourth-order coherence function. This experiment is a study of the correlation function of the irradiance fluctuations obtained in some interference experiments. Two kinds of delay are then used: optical delays in the interferometer and electrical delays with suitable variations in the correlator.

The results of the experiment are calculated theoretically with a particular statistical model of laser light. The possibility of using a spectrum analyzer instead of a correlator is discussed.

© 1968 Optical Society of America

Higher-Order Coherence Functions of Optical Fields and Phase Fluctuations

B. Picinbono and E. Boileau
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 58(6) 784-789 (1968)

Propagation of the Fourth-Order Coherence Function in a Random Medium*

T. L. Ho and M. J. Beran
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 58(10) 1335-1341 (1968)

Bleach-Out Effect Described by the Nonlinear Wave Equations

P. A. Silberg and F. J. Corbett
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 58(11) 1466-1468 (1968)

Optical Properties and Reflectance of Uniaxial Absorbing Crystals*

L. P. Mosteller and F. Wooten
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 58(4) 511-518 (1968)

Optimization of Information-Processing Optical Systems by Transcorrelation-Function Maximization*

R. S. Macmillan and G. O. Young
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 58(3) 346-356 (1968)