Partially coherent non-paraxial vectorial Hermite-Gaussian beams and their far-field properities

The far-field theory of partially coherent vectorial non-paraxial beams is expanded and their analytical propagation expressions of the Wigner distribution function matrices and the cross-spectral-density matrices in free space are derived using the far-field approximation. Some interesting cases, in particular the vectorial non-paraxial partially coherent Hermite-Gaussian (HG) beams, are discussed and treated as special cases of our general expressions. It is shown that the f_σ and f parameters play an important role in determining vector and non-paraxiality of partially coherent HG beams. When two parameters are small enough, scalar and paraxial vectorial approximation is allowed; otherwise, non-paraxial vectorial approximation is applied. But the decided parameters additionally affect their far-field divergence angles.     

Propagation and focal shift of J0-correlated Schell-model beams

Based on the propagation law of partially coherent beams, the propagation equations of J₀-correlated Schell-model (JSM) beams through a paraxial optical ABCD system are derived and expressed in closed-form. The free-space propagation and focusing of JSM beams are regarded two special cases of our result. The focusing properties, in particular, the focal shift of JSM beams are studied, and illustrative numerical results are given. It is found that the focal shift of JSM beams, which is determined by an algebraic equation of 3rd order, increases with decreasing Fresnel number N and increasing parameter σ.     

Partially coherent vectorial cosh-Gaussian beams beyond the paraxial approximation

The concept of partially coherent vectorial nonparaxial cosh-Gaussian (ChG) beams is introduced, and their analytical propagation expressions for the cross-spectral density matrix in free space are derived by using the generalized vectorial Rayleigh diffraction integrals. Some interesting cases, in particular, the vectorial nonparaxial Gaussian-Schell-model (GSM) beams are discussed and treated as special cases of our general expressions. It is shown that the f and f_σ parameters play a crucial role in determining the vectorial property and nonparaxiality of partially coherent ChG beams, but the decentered parameter additionally affects their behavior.     

Anomalous spectral behavior of vectorial apertured ultrashort pulsed beams beyond the paraxial approximation

Based on the vectorial Rayleigh diffraction integrals, the analytical expression for the spectral intensity of a vectorial nonparaxial ultrashort pulsed Gaussian beam diffracted at a circular hard-aperture is derived. The effect of f-parameter (f = 1/k₀w₀) on the spectral anomalies near phase singularities of the vectorial nonparaxial ultrashort pulsed beams is studied. It is shown that the spectral switch near the phase singularity of diffracted vectorial nonparaxial ultrashort pulsed beam still exists beyond paraxial regime, but disappears when the f-parameter is larger than a certain value.     

非傍轴部分相干厄米-高斯光束的相干和非相干合成

推导出二维非傍轴部分相干厄米-高斯（H-G）光束相干合成和非相干合成的交叉谱密度和光强的解析公式,并分析了一些特例. 合成光束的光强不仅决定于f参数,f_σ参数,离轴参数,合成光束的束数和阶数以及传输距离z,而且还决定于合成方式. 对部分相干光的相干合成和非相干合成概念做了物理诠释,其正确性为数值计算例证实. 关键词： 部分相干光的相干和非相干合成 非傍轴部分相干厄米-高斯（H-G）光束 自由空间中的传输方程     

Partially coherent nonparaxial modified Bessel--Gauss beams

The concept of partially coherent nonparaxial modified Bessel--Gauss (MBG) beams is proposed. Based on the generalized Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integral, the analytical propagation equations of nonparaxial MBG beams in free space are derived and analysed, and some special cases are discussed. In particular, under the paraxial approximation our results reduce to the corresponding paraxial ones. Numerical calculation examples are given to illustrate the dependence of intensity and spectral degree of coherence on the beam order $m$, \textit{$\xi $} and $f$ parameters, and to compare the difference between the paraxial and nonparaxial results.     

Nonparaxial propagation of spatially and spectrally partially coherent electromagnetic Cosh-Gaussian pulsed beams

Based on the generalized Rayleigh–Sommerfeld diffraction integral, the analytical expression for 3×3 cross-spectral density matrix of nonparaxial spatially and spectrally partially coherent electromagnetic Cosh-Gaussian (ChG) pulsed beams propagating in free space is derived, and used to formulate the spectral density and spectral degree of polarization of electromagnetic pulsed beams at the z-plane. It is found that the parameters f and f_αα are the key parameters in determining the nonparaxiality of spatially and spectrally partially coherent electromagnetic ChG pulsed beams. And the decentered parameter, pulse duration and temporal coherence length can change the nonparaxial behavior of the electromagnetic ChG pulsed beams. The effect of decentered parameter, pulse duration and temporal coherence length on the spectral density and spectral degree of polarization of electromagnetic ChG pulsed beams is illustrated through numerical calculations. Propagation of nonparaxial spatially and spectrally partially coherent electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model pulsed beams can be treated as a special case when the decentered parameter of electromagnetic ChG pulsed beams approaches to zero.     

Vectorial partially coherent flat-topped beams and their nonparaxial propagation

The concept of vectorial partially coherent flat-topped beams is proposed, and their nonparaxial propagation in free space is studied in detail. Based on the vector Rayleigh diffraction integral formulae, the analytical propagation expressions for the cross-spectral density matrix of the polarized vectorial nonparaxial partially coherent flat-topped beams are derived and applied to study the nonparaxial propagation properties of vectorial partially coherent flat-topped beams. The effect of propagation parameters on the intensity and the coherence property of the nonparaxial vectorial partially coherent flat-topped beam is illustrated and analyzed comparatively with the corresponding paraxial results.     

Spectral switches of partially coherent nonparaxial beams diffracted at an aperture

Based on the generalized Rayleigh diffraction integral, the spectral shifts and spectral switches of nonparaxial partially coherent beams diffracted at an aperture are studied. Our main attention is paid to the effect of beam nonparaxiality on the spectral switches of partially coherent beams. It is shown that the spatial coherent parameter β, trunction parameter δ and waist width-to-central wavelength ratio w₀/λ₀ affect the behavior of spectral switches. Only when β, δ and w₀/λ₀ satisfy certain conditions, can the difference between the nonparaxial and paraxial results be negligible. The discrepancy arises physically from the change of the spectral modifier by using the paraxial approximation.     

The beam quality of nonparaxial Hermite-sine-Gaussian beam

Based on the theory of the second intensity moment of nonparaxial scalar beam and the method of angular spectrum, the expressions for the far-field divergence angle, waist width and M² factor of nonparaxial Hermite-sine-Gaussian (HSiG) beams are derived. Calculation and analysis show the dependence of the far-field divergence angle of nonparaxial HSiG beams on the parameter w₀/λ, as well as on order m, And it with even and odd orders approach 73.898° and 63.435° as w₀/λ → 0. With increasing order m and the parameter w₀/λ, the waist width increase monotonously, which is same as paraxial case. But nonparaxial M² factor is different from paraxial case, it cannot only less than 1, but also approach 0 as w₀/λ → 0.     

Influence of atmospheric turbulence on the propagation of superimposed partially coherent Hermite-Gaussian beams

The influence of atmospheric turbulence on the propagation of superimposed partially coherent Hermite-Gaussian (H-G) beams is studied in detail. The closed-form propagation equation of superimposed partially coherent H-G beams through atmospheric turbulence is derived. It is shown that the turbulence accelerates the evolution of three stages which superimposed partially coherent H-G beams undergo. The turbulence results in a beam spreading and a decrease of the maximum intensity. However, the larger the beam number M, the beam order m, the separate distance x_d, and the smaller the beam correlation length σ₀ are, the less the power focusability of superimposed partially coherent H-G beams is affected by the turbulence. Specially, superimposed partially coherent H-G beams are less sensitive to turbulence than superimposed fully ones, and than partially coherent H-G beams if the beam power focusability and the maximum intensity are taken as beam criterions. However, the maximum intensity of superimposed partially coherent H-G beams is less sensitive or more sensitive to turbulence than that of superimposed Gaussian Schell-model (GSM) beams depending on σ₀.     

Application of the Wigner distribution function to complex-argument Hermite– and Laguerre–Gaussian beams beyond the paraxial approximation

The Wigner distribution function (WDF) is applied to study the propagation of complex-argument Hermite–Gaussian (HG) and Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) beams beyond the paraxial approximation. The analytical expressions for their intensity distributions in free-space propagation are derived, which are expressed in terms of Hermite polynomials for nonparaxial complex-argument HG beams and in terms of the sum of finite Hermite polynomials for nonparaxial complex-argument LG beams. A detailed comparison of the WDF approach, series expansion method and paraxial expressions is made, which shows that in the paraxial regime the WDF approach and series expansion method deliver consistent results with that of paraxial expressions. Beyond the paraxial approximation, the WDF approach offers convergent results, whereas the series expansion method has a limited applicable range, within which it gives consistent results with that of WDF approach but beyond which it gives unrealistic and divergent results.     

Propagation properties of partially coherent modified Bessel–Gauss beams

Starting from the propagation law of partially coherent light, the analytical propagation equations of partially coherent modified Bessel–Gauss beams (MBGBs) through a paraxial optical ABCD system are derived and illustrated with typical application examples. Furthermore, by using the intensity moments method and integral transformation technique, the important characteristic parameters, including the beam width, far-field divergence angle, M² factor and kurtosis parameter of partially coherent MBGBs, are expressed in a closed and simple form. As a result, some basic properties of MBGBs and the dependence of the M² factor and kurtosis parameter on the spectral degree of coherence and beam order are illustrated both analytically and numerically.     

Propagation of vectorial apertured cosh-Gaussian beams beyond the paraxial approximation

By using the vectorial Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integrals, the propagation equation of vectorial nonparaxial cosh-Gaussian (ChG) beams in the presence of an aperture is derived and expressed in a closed form. The on-axis, far-field and paraxial cases are studied as special cases. Analytical results are illustrated with numerical examples.     

Polarization properties of nonparaxial partially polarized Gaussian Schell-model beams

The polarization properties of nonparaxial partially polarized Gaussian Schell-model (PGSM) beams are studied. Based on the beam coherence-polarization matrix, the propagation formula of the degree of polarization for the nonparaxial PGSM beams is derived. The paraxial approximation is dealt with as special cases of our general results. Some conditions that limit the choice of the parameters are established. The sufficiency condition of polarization invariance in propagation for the nonparaxial PGSM beams is derived. By using the derived formulae, the propagation properties of the degree of polarization for the nonparaxial PGSM beam in free space are illustrated and analyzed with numerical examples. Some detailed comparisons of the obtained results with the paraxial results are made.     

Slant path intensity distribution of focusing J0-correlated Schell-model vortex beams in atmospheric turbulence

The intensity distribution of the J₀-correlated Schell-model (JSM) vortex beams focused by a lens and propagation in weak-to-strong turbulent atmosphere are investigated. It is shown that the beam spreading increases with the increase in topological charge n, the source coherent length α−1, turbulent outer scale L₀ and propagation distance z. The center hollow depth of intensity distribution of the J₀-correlated Schell-model (JSM) vortex beams decrease with the increase of topological charge n, turbulent outer scale L₀ and propagation distance z or the decrease of the source coherent length α−1.     

Nonparaxial propagation of a partially coherent dark hollow beam

Based on the generalized Raleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integral, an analytical nonparaxial propagation formula of a partially coherent dark hollow beam (DHB) in free space is derived. The paraxial approximation is dealt with as a special case of our general result. By using the derived formula, the nonparaxial propagation properties of DHBs are studied and are compared with the paraxial results. It is shown that the nonparaxiality properties of a partially coherent DHB are closely related to its initial beam parameters (i.e., beam waist size, wavelength, coherence length, dark size) and the propagation distance.     

Changes in the spectral degree of polarization of nonparaxial stochastic electromagnetic pulsed beams

By using the generalized vectorial Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integral, the analytical expression for the spectral degree of polarization (SDP) of stochastic spatially and spectrally partially coherent electromagnetic pulsed beams (SSSPCEPB) is derived, and used to study the changes in the SDP of SSSPCEPB in the nonparaxial regime. Similar to that of continuous beams, the f parameter and f_αα parameter of pulsed beams also play an important role in determining the nonparaxiality of SSSPCEPB. However, the pulse duration and temporal coherence length of the pulse can change the nonparaxiality of SSSPCEPB. The dependence of SDP on the f parameter, pulse duration and temporal coherence length is emphasized and illustrated numerically.     

Nonparaxial propagation properties for a partially coherent anomalous hollow beam

Based on the generalized Raleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integral formula, an analytical nonparaxial propagation expression of a partially coherent anomalous hollow beam (AHB) in free space is derived. The far field and the paraxial result are also presented as special cases, respectively. By using the derived formula, the nonparaxial propagation properties of a partially coherent AHB are studied numerically and are compared with the paraxial results. It is found that the nonparaxiality properties of a partially coherent AHB are closely related to its beam waist, coherent length and the propagation distance.