An Operator Method of the Theory of Optical Coherence and Radiometry

H. Baltes, Jon Geist, A. Walther

L. Mandeļ, E. Wolf

This book presents a systematic account of optical coherence theory within the framework of classical optics, as applied to such topics as radiation from sources of different states of coherence, foundations of radiometry, effects of source coherence on the spectra of radiated fields, coherence theory of laser modes, and scattering of partially coherent light by random media. The book starts with a full mathematical introduction to the subject area and each chapter concludes with a set of exercises. The authors are renowned scientists and have made substantial contributions to many of the topics treated in the book. Much of the book is based on courses given by them at universities, scientific meetings and laboratories throughout the world. This book will undoubtedly become an indispensable aid to scientists and engineers concerned with modern optics, as well as to teachers and graduate students of physics and engineering.

R.W. Smith

Olga Korotkova, Greg Gbur

A. V. Gitin

All known quantum-mechanical approaches to wave and statistical optics are united into a single theory, using Feynman's path integral as a fundamental principle. In short-wave approximations, this principle, the Fourier transformations, and concepts of the theory reproduce Fermat's principle, the Legendre transformations, and concepts of Hamilton's optics and radiometry in a one-to-one fashion.

Stefania Castelletto, Ivo Pietro Degiovanni, Maria Luisa Rastello

This paper proposes a realistically feasible experiment, within the realm of existing technology and proved techniques, to measure the mean photon number of a coherent source by means of a quantum non-demolition scheme, exploiting the parametric amplification of correlated photons in χ (2) media. We deduce the number of photons of an input source interacting with a high-intensity pump field in a nonlinear crystal, using as the probe the shift in the quadrature amplitude of the pump beam induced by the source under measurement. We perform a theoretical evaluation of the noise level associated with this measurement and compare it with the quantum limit. We explore the possible implications of this method for radiometry.