Open AccessStatistics properties of a cylindrical vector partially coherent beam
Author(s) -
Dong Ye,
Yangjian Cai,
Zhao Chen,
Min Yao
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.19.005979
Subject(s) - optics , physics , paraxial approximation , polarization (electrochemistry) , degree of coherence , coherence (philosophical gambling strategy) , beam (structure) , coherence length , coherence theory , light beam , laser beam quality , radial polarization , laser beams , laser , quantum mechanics , chemistry , superconductivity
Cylindrical vector partially coherent beam is introduced as a natural extension of cylindrical vector coherent beam based on the unified theory of coherence and polarization. Analytical propagation formula for the cross-spectral density matrix of a cylindrical vector partially coherent beam passing through paraxial ABCD optical system is derived based on the generalized Collins integral formula. As an application example, the statistics properties, such as the average intensity, spreading and the degree of polarization, of a cylindrical vector partially coherent beam propagating in free space are studied in detail. It is found that the statistics properties of a cylindrical vector partially coherent beam are much different from a cylindrical vector coherent beam. Our results may find applications in connection with laser beam shaping and optical trapping.