Measurement of the four-dimensional Wigner distribution of paraxial light sources

B. Eppich; G. Mann; H. Weber

doi:10.1117/12.624812

14 October 2005 Measurement of the four-dimensional Wigner distribution of paraxial light sources

B. Eppich, G. Mann, H. Weber

Proceedings Volume 5962, Optical Design and Engineering II; 59622D (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.624812
Event: Optical Systems Design 2005, 2005, Jena, Germany

Abstract

The complete knowledge and description of light sources is a fundamental base of optical design. Partially coherent, paraxial light sources of homogeneous polarisation state are represented by the four-dimensional Wigner distribution function, which contains all information on amplitude, phase relations and spatial coherence. Hence, knowledge of the Wigner distribution enables the prediction of power density distributions after propagation through a wide range of optical systems by numerical simulation. A simple optical setup consisting of a spherical lens, a cylindrical lens, and a CCD camera can be used to experimentally retrieve the Wigner distribution function of a spatially confined light source by a tomographic reconstruction scheme. This paper briefly introduces the Wigner distribution and outline the reconstruction scheme. Measurements on partially coherent laser beams are presented including examples of successful predictions of power density distributions behind some optical systems.

Citation Download Citation

B. Eppich, G. Mann, and H. Weber "Measurement of the four-dimensional Wigner distribution of paraxial light sources", Proc. SPIE 5962, Optical Design and Engineering II, 59622D (14 October 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.624812

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available