Pseudo-Schell model sources

Abstract

Partially coherent pseudo-Schell model sources are introduced and analyzed. They present radial symmetry and coherence characteristics depending on the difference between the radial distances of two points from the source center. As a consequence, all points belonging to circles centered on the symmetry center of the source are perfectly correlated. We show that such sources radiate fields with peculiar behaviors in paraxial propagation. In particular, when compared to beams produced by Gaussian Schell-model sources with comparable coherence parameters, the irradiance can present sharper profiles and higher peak values and a better beam quality parameter. Furthermore, when a pseudo-Schell model source presents a vortex, the propagated beam preserves a null of the intensity along its axis.