ON THE MUTUAL COHERENCE FUNCTION IN AN INHOMOGENEOUS MEDIUM
Abstract
This analysis is concerned with determining the mutual coherence function of the field produced by a plane quasi-monochromatic source in a region of variable refractive index. A scalar theory is used throughout. A brief review of the conceptual background of coherence theory is presented in Section 1. Section 2 contains an outline of the mathematical formalism of coherence theory and shows that in a region of variable refractive index the mutual coherence function is propagated according to a pair of inhomogeneous scalar wave equations. In Section 3 the pair of wave equations are solved with appropriate Green's functions. An expression is derived for the mutual coherence function of a field produced by a plane quasi-monochromatic source. In Section 4 the case of a statistically homogeneous medium is treated and an expression for the ensemble average of the mutual coherence function is obtained in terms of integrals of the two-point correlation function characterizing the medium.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0273994
Entities
People
- G.b. Parrent Jr.
- R.a. Shore
- T.j. Skinner
Organizations
- Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories