Measurement of two-point coherence functions of electromagnetic optical fields and applications of optical coherence

TL;DR

This paper reviews the measurement of two-point coherence functions of electromagnetic optical fields, emphasizing their fundamental properties, experimental methods, and technological applications over recent decades.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the development of experimental techniques for measuring two-point coherence functions and discusses their significance in optical science and technology.

Findings

Summarizes key experimental methods for measuring two-point coherence.

Highlights the importance of coherence in optical field properties.

Discusses technological applications derived from coherence studies.

Abstract

For stationary light fields, manifestation of statistical properties such as coherence and polarization are attributed to the same physical phenomena, i.e. correlations in fluctuations of optical fields. In order to explain various properties associated with electromagnetic optical fields, both coherence and polarization need to be placed at same footings. This leads to two-point (space or time) generalization of single-point properties such as Stokes parameters and elements of coherency matrix. This paper reviews the basic aspects concerning vectorial optical fields and experimental methods developed during last couple of decades for the measurement of two-point correlation functions of electromagnetic optical fields in spatial and temporal domain. Studies related to coherence properties of optical fields have led to several important technological applications during last seven decades, which are also discussed briefly in this review.