Abstract

Coherent detection offers improved sensitivities and selectabilities for communication and sensor systems. This tutorial reviews the fundamental principles of coherent detection from both the quantum mechanical and semiclassical points of view. Effects of device imperfections such as laser linewidths and mode-partition noise on the ultimate sensitivities of such detection systems are discussed. A survey of system techniques to circumvent some of these imperfections is also presented.

© 1988 Optical Society of America