Mixing Partially Coherent Fields with Gaussian Irradiance Profiles; Optimization Criteria

1 January 1970

journal article
Published by Optica Publishing Group in Applied Optics

Vol. 9 (1) , 115-123
https://doi.org/10.1364/ao.9.000115

Abstract

A detailed analysis of the average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) resulting from the mixing or heterodyning of partially coherent, collinear beams with gaussian irradiance profiles is undertaken. It is shown that SNR can be expressed as a function of the beam cross sections and coherence areas and the area of the photodetector. The dependence of SNR on each of these parameters is examined. The previously observed saturation phenomenon, as well as coherence suppression and degradation effects, are observed and explained theoretically. Optimum values of the local oscillator beam size and coherence area are derived which generally produce the best SNR for a given set of signal beam parameters.

Keywords

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:

Mixing Inhomogeneous, Partially Coherent Optical Fields
Applied Optics, 1969
Optical heterodyne detection of an atmospherically distorted signal wave front
Proceedings of the IEEE, 1967
Phase and Amplitude Measurements of Coherent Optical Wavefronts
Bell System Technical Journal, 1966