Superposition Principle (Coherent and Incoherent Superposition)

J. Perˇina

PEKKA J. LAHTI

Edward Collett

N. V. Lunin

Alfredo Luis

We develop a fundamental principle depicting the generalized ray formulation of optics provided by the Wigner function. This principle is formally identical to the Huygens–Fresnel principle but in terms of opposite concepts, rays instead of waves, and incoherent superpositions instead of coherent ones. This ray picture naturally includes diffraction and interference, and provides a geometrical picture of the degree of coherence.

Eftichios Bitsakis