Effects of Refraction and Reflection on Coherence Properties of Light

TL;DR

This paper introduces a technique to control the coherence properties of partially coherent light beams by manipulating refraction and reflection angles, enabling laboratory adjustments of coherence in classical and quantum optics.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that coherence properties of electromagnetic beams can be actively controlled through refraction and reflection by varying the incidence angle.

Findings

Coherence can be tuned via refraction and reflection.

Control of coherence is achievable in laboratory settings.

Technique applicable to classical and quantum optics.

Abstract

Partially coherent light beams are encountered both in classical and in quantum optics. Their coherence properties generally depend on the correlation properties of their sources. In this paper, we propose a technique for controlling the coherence properties of optical beams in laboratory environment. The technique is based on the fact that coherence properties of partially coherent electromagnetic beams can be changed on refraction and on reflection, and that the changes can be controlled by varying the angle of incidence.