Changes in the polarization and coherence of a random electromagnetic beam propagating through a misaligned optical...

On the basis of the generalized diffraction integral formula for misaligned optical systems in the spatial domain, an analytical propagation expression for the elements of the cross-spectral density matrix of a random electromagnetic beam passing through a misaligned optical system is derived. Some analyses are illustrated by numerical examples relating to changes in the spectral degree of polarization and in the spectral degree of coherence of an electromagnetic Gaussian-Schell-model beam propagating through such an optical system. We find that the degree of polarization in the neighboring areas of the focal plane is oscillating, and the effect of misalignment on coherence is not so evident as that on polarization.