Abstract

The paper presents a new generalized radiometry that uses a few, basic phase-space (PS) concepts. In the first section the main PS concepts are introduced: the definition of different types of PS (spatial and/or temporal), the energy distribution functions on PS coordinates, the PS domains and measures, and applications of PS to characterizing sources, propagators, and receivers. The second section deals with the definition of the radiometric quantities. The main quantity is the radiant energy distribution on the six-dimensional, spatial-temporal PS, which can be interpreted as a spectral density of a generalized radiance. For defining the radiometric quantities, two different procedures are proposed: projections in PS and sections in PS. Mixed projections and sections are also possible. Existing and new radiometric quantities are obtained; the above procedures generate all possible radiometric quantities. Their properties and usefulness are matters for future studies. The symmetry of the system determines the type of PS to be used and hence the appropriate radiometric quantities. An equivalent source is defined for a real source in each type of PS. The measuring procedure is interpreted as a convolution in PS.

© 1992 Optical Society of America