Abstract

The concept of coherence of radiation is related to the possibility of obtaining a clear interference pattern, i.e. to the possibility of using phase relations between wave fields. The high coherence of radiation makes it possible to realize high-quality optical instruments. Adaptive systems do not fit into such representations, because they make it possible to obtain a high-quality image even for low-coherent radiation. Thus, the concept of coherence must be modified for adaptive systems. We will first consider this problem.

© 1992 Optical Society of America