Spatial and temporal coherence via polarization mutual coherence function

TL;DR

This paper introduces a polarization mutual coherence function based on Stokes variables, enabling the definition of polarization coherence time and extending classical theorems to polarization optics.

Contribution

It develops a scalar polarization mutual coherence function and a spectral polarization density, extending the Wiener-Khintchine and van Cittert-Zernike theorems to polarization.

Findings

Defined polarization coherence time.

Established a polarization version of the Wiener-Khintchine theorem.

Extended the van Cittert-Zernike theorem to polarization.

Abstract

We address polarization coherence in terms of correlations of Stokes variables. We develop an scalar polarization mutual coherence function that allows us to define a polarization coherence time. We find a suitable spectral polarization density allowing a polarization version of the Wiener-Khintchine theorem. With these tools we also address the polarization version of the van Cittert-Zernike theorem.