Abstract
The method of obtaining near-diffraction-limited information by averaging the modulus-squared Fourier-transformed radiant-flux density is applied to partially coherent light. The case of two point sources with arbitrary coherence properties and intensities is considered in detail. It is shown that resolution beyond the atmospheric seeing limit is possible. Because conventional resolution criteria cannot be directly applied to the modulus-squared Fourier-transformed flux distribution, we propose and use a new criterion to calculate two-point resolution as a function of the degree of coherence. The coherent limit is found to be greater than the incoherent limit by a factor of 1.68 in the case of equal intensities and zero coherence phase. The effect of nonzero coherence phase on resolution is discussed briefly.
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