Physics:Coherence theory (optics)

Short description: Study in optics

In physics, coherence theory is the study of optical effects arising from partially coherent light and radio sources. Partially coherent sources are sources where the coherence time or coherence length are limited by bandwidth, by thermal noise, or by other effect. Many aspects of modern coherence theory are studied in quantum optics.

The theory of partial coherence was awoken in the 1930s due to work by Pieter Hendrik van Cittert and Frits Zernike.

Topics in coherence theory

• Physics:Interferometric visibility
• Mutual coherence function
• Physics:Degree of coherence – Measurement in quantum optics
• Astronomy:Van Cittert–Zernike theorem
• Astronomy:Michelson stellar interferometer – Type of array used for astronomical observations

See also

• Nonclassical light
• Optical coherence tomography

References

• Eugene Hecht and Alfred Zajac, Optics, (1974) Addison-Wesley Publishing, Reading, Massachusetts ISBN:978-0-201-02835-5. (Chapter 12 provides an undergraduate level introduction.)