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Active control on high-order coherence and statistic characterization on random phase fluctuation of two classical
Peilong Hong1, Liming Li1, Jianji Liu1
1The MOE Key Laboratory of Weak Light Nonlinear Photonics, School of Physics and TEDA Applied Physics Institute, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China.
Scientific Reports
|March 30, 2016
Summary
Researchers can now design high-order optical coherence by controlling the phase difference between two point sources. This method also characterizes phase fluctuations in incoherent light sources.
Area of Science:
- Optics
- Quantum Optics
- Classical Optics
Background:
- First-order optical coherence relies on stationary phase differences.
- High-order optical coherence is governed by the statistical behavior of optical phases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate active design of high-order optical coherence between two classical point sources.
- To explore the relationship between phase statistics and interference patterns.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a fundamental two-point source interference configuration.
- Controlled the statistical behavior of the relative phase difference between sources.
- Observed synchronous position Nth-order subwavelength interference.
Main Results:
- Achieved Nth-order interference with an effective wavelength of λ/M (M ≤ N).
- Demonstrated that interference fringe fingerprints the statistical trace of random phase fluctuations.
- Showcased synchronous position Nth-order interference.
Conclusions:
- High-order optical coherence can be actively designed by manipulating phase statistics.
- Nth-order interference patterns serve as a tool to characterize phase fluctuation properties of incoherent light sources.
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