Abstract

The most frequently used experimental techniques for measuring the spatial coherence properties of classical light fields in the space–frequency and space–time domains are reviewed and compared, with some attention to polarization effects. In addition to Young’s classical two-pinhole experiment and several of its variations, we discuss methods that allow the determination of spatial coherence at higher data acquisition rates and also permit the characterization of lower-intensity light fields. These advantages are offered, in particular, by interferometric schemes that employ only beam splitters and reflective elements, and thereby also facilitate spatial coherence measurements of broadband fields.

© 2022 Optica Publishing Group

Electromagnetic theory of optical coherence [Invited]

Ari T. Friberg and Tero Setälä
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 33(12) 2431-2442 (2016)

Effect of optical spatial coherence on localized spin angular momentum density in tightly focused light [Invited]

Zixuan Wang, Chencheng Yan, Fei Wang, Yahong Chen, and Yangjian Cai
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 39(12) C58-C67 (2022)

Reduction formula for cross-spectral purity of nonstationary light fields

Jyrki Laatikainen, Meilan Luo, Atri Halder, Matias Koivurova, Tero Setälä, Jari Turunen, and Ari T. Friberg
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 40(6) 1260-1267 (2023)

Fast and reliable technique for spatial coherence measurement with a temporally modulated nonredundant slit array

Tomohiro Shirai and Ari T. Friberg
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 39(12) C105-C115 (2022)

Spatial coherence measurement of polychromatic light with modified Young’s interferometer

Kimmo Saastamoinen, Jani Tervo, Jari Turunen, Pasi Vahimaa, and Ari T. Friberg
Opt. Express 21(4) 4061-4071 (2013)