Physical Review A

Ensemble approach to coherence between two scalar harmonic light vibrations and the phase difference

Alfredo Luis

Published May 28, 2009• 5 citations

Abstract

We develop an approach to coherence between two scalar harmonic light vibrations derived from the ensemble interpretation of statistical optics. Coherence is presented as a statistical variable itself that turns out to be the phase difference between the two vibrations. This provides a natural and simple extension of second-order coherence to cover more complicated situations. This includes in a single formalism both classic and quantum light states, allowing the most accurate interferometric measurements, even if they are incoherent according to the standard second-order approach.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.79.053855

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