title: Generalized beam-propagation factor of partially coherent beams propagating through hard-edged apertures.
abstract: The second-order intensity moments and beam-propagation factor (M2 factor) of partially coherent beams have been generalized to include the case of hard-edged diffraction. A laser beam with amplitude modulation and phase fluctuation and a Gaussian Schell-model beam are taken as two typical examples of partially coherent beams. Analytical expressions for the generalized M2 factor are derived.
authors.affiliation: College of Electronics Information, Sichuan University, ChengDu, China. zhangbinff@sohu.com.cn
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiaoliang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li