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Full-Text Articles in Physics
System-Level Noise Performance Of Coherent Imaging Systems, Derek J. Burrell, Joshua H. Follansbee, Mark F. Spencer, Ronald G. Driggers
System-Level Noise Performance Of Coherent Imaging Systems, Derek J. Burrell, Joshua H. Follansbee, Mark F. Spencer, Ronald G. Driggers
Faculty Publications
We provide an in-depth analysis of noise considerations in coherent imaging, accounting for speckle and scintillation in addition to “conventional” image noise. Specifically, we formulate closed-form expressions for total effective noise in the presence of speckle only, scintillation only, and speckle combined with scintillation. We find analytically that photon shot noise is uncorrelated with both speckle and weak-to-moderate scintillation, despite their shared dependence on the mean signal. Furthermore, unmitigated speckle and scintillation noise tends to dominate coherent-imaging performance due to a squared mean-signal dependence. Strong coupling occurs between speckle and scintillation when both are present, and we characterize this behavior …
The Behavior Of Partially Coherent Twisted Space-Time Beams In Atmospheric Turbulence, Milo W. Hyde Iv
The Behavior Of Partially Coherent Twisted Space-Time Beams In Atmospheric Turbulence, Milo W. Hyde Iv
Faculty Publications
We study how atmospheric turbulence affects twisted space-time beams, which are non-stationary random optical fields whose space and time dimensions are coupled with a stochastic twist. Applying the extended Huygens–Fresnel principle, we derive the mutual coherence function of a twisted space-time beam after propagating a distance z through atmospheric turbulence of arbitrary strength. We specialize the result to derive the ensemble-averaged irradiance and discuss how turbulence affects the beam’s spatial size, pulse width, and space-time twist. Lastly, we generate, in simulation, twisted space-time beam field realizations and propagate them through atmospheric phase screens to validate our analysis.
Independently Controlling Stochastic Field Realization Magnitude And Phase Statistics For The Construction Of Novel Partially Coherent Sources, Milo W. Hyde Iv
Independently Controlling Stochastic Field Realization Magnitude And Phase Statistics For The Construction Of Novel Partially Coherent Sources, Milo W. Hyde Iv
Faculty Publications
In this paper, we present a method to independently control the field and irradiance statistics of a partially coherent beam. Prior techniques focus on generating optical field realizations whose ensemble-averaged autocorrelation matches a specified second-order field moment known as the cross-spectral density (CSD) function. Since optical field realizations are assumed to obey Gaussian statistics, these methods do not consider the irradiance moments, as they, by the Gaussian moment theorem, are completely determined by the field’s first and second moments. Our work, by including control over the irradiance statistics (in addition to the CSD function), expands existing synthesis approaches and allows …
Synthesizing General Electromagnetic Partially Coherent Sources From Random, Correlated Complex Screens, Milo W. Hyde Iv
Synthesizing General Electromagnetic Partially Coherent Sources From Random, Correlated Complex Screens, Milo W. Hyde Iv
Faculty Publications
We present a method to generate any genuine electromagnetic partially coherent source (PCS) from correlated, stochastic complex screens. The method described here can be directly implemented on existing spatial-light-modulator-based vector beam generators and can be used in any application which utilizes electromagnetic PCSs. Our method is based on the genuine cross-spectral density matrix criterion. Applying that criterion, we show that stochastic vector field realizations (corresponding to a desired electromagnetic PCS) can be generated by passing correlated Gaussian random numbers through “filters” with space-variant transfer functions. We include step-by-step instructions on how to generate the electromagnetic PCS field realizations. As an …
Digital Holography Experiments With Degraded Temporal Coherence, Douglas E. Thornton, Davin Mao, Mark F. Spencer, Christopher A. Rice, Glen P. Perram
Digital Holography Experiments With Degraded Temporal Coherence, Douglas E. Thornton, Davin Mao, Mark F. Spencer, Christopher A. Rice, Glen P. Perram
Faculty Publications
To simulate the effects of multiple-longitudinal modes and rapid fluctuations in center frequency, we use sinusoidal phase modulation and linewidth broadening, respectively. These effects allow us to degrade the temporal coherence of our master-oscillator laser, which we then use to conduct digital holography experiments. In turn, our results show that the coherence efficiency decreases quadratically with fringe visibility and that our measurements agree with our models to within 1.8% for sinusoidal phase modulation and 6.9% for linewidth broadening.
Generation Of Vector Partially Coherent Optical Sources Using Phase-Only Spatial Light Modulators, Milo W. Hyde Iv, Santasri Bose-Pillai, David G. Voelz, Xifeng Xiao
Generation Of Vector Partially Coherent Optical Sources Using Phase-Only Spatial Light Modulators, Milo W. Hyde Iv, Santasri Bose-Pillai, David G. Voelz, Xifeng Xiao
Faculty Publications
A simple and flexible optical system for generating electromagnetic or vector partially coherent sources or beams is presented. The alternative design controls field amplitude (beam shape), coherence, and polarization using only spatial light modulators. This improvement makes the apparatus simpler to construct and significantly increases the flexibility of vector partially coherent source generators by allowing many different types of sources to be produced without changing the physical setup. The system’s layout and theoretical foundations are thoroughly discussed. The utility and flexibility of the proposed system are demonstrated by producing a vector Schell-model and non-Schell-model source. The experimental results are compared …