Diffraction properties of partially coherent electromagnetic four-petal Gaussian beams

Abstract

The concept of existing scalar coherent four-petal Gaussian (FPG) beam is extended to the more general partially coherent electromagnetic four-petal Gaussian (PCFPG) beam, and the cross-spectral density matrix of the latter is derived in analytical expressions. Intensity distributions and degree of polarization in free space are investigated by numerical examples. Results show that propagation properties of the PCFPG beam are different from their scalar coherent and scalar partially coherent counterparts. Both intensity distributions and polarization strongly depend on transversal coherence lengths. When the propagation distance increases to a large value, intensity distributions of PCFPG beams convert into the Gauss profile. Polarization of PCFPG beams shows an oscillating characteristic upon propagation, and the oscillation would enhance with the increase of coherence lengths. These results may find potential applications in beam shaping and free space optical communications.