Random Light Beams

1

Introduction

CONTENTS

1.1 Brief history

1.2 Preliminary mathematics

1.2.1 Random processes

1.2.2 Spectral representation of random processes

1.2.3 Analytic representation of complex signals

1.2.4 Gaussian random processes

1.3 Preliminary optics

1.3.1 Maxwell’s, wave and Helmholtz equations

1.3.2 Angular spectrum representation and beam conditions

1.3.3 Exact beams

1.3.3.1 Plane waves and cosine beams

1.3.3.2 Bessel beams

1.3.3.3 Mathieu beams

1.3.3.4 Parabolic beams

1.3.4 Vectorial nature of optical fields: polarization

1.3.4.1 Polarization ellipse

1.3.4.2 Jones calculus

1.3.4.3 Stokes vectors

1.3.5 Spatial interference in light fields

1.1 Brief history

Stochastic (random) light fields have been studied by scientists at least from the ...