title: M2-factor of a stochastic electromagnetic beam in a Gaussian cavity.
abstract: With the help of a tensor method, an explicit expression for the M2-factor of a stochastic electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model (EGSM) beam in a Gaussian cavity is derived. Evolution properties of the M2-factor of an EGSM beam in a Gaussian cavity are studied numerically in detail. It is found that the behavior of the M2-factor of an EGSM beam in a Gaussian cavity is determined by the statistical properties of the source beam and the parameters of the cavity. Thermal lens effect induced changes of the M2-factor of an EGSM beam in a Gaussian cavity is also investigated. Our results will be useful in many applications, such as free-space optical communications, laser radar system, optical trapping and optical imaging, where stochastic electromagnetic beams are required.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
authors.forename: Shijun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Yangjian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cai
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D015233:Models, Statistical; D016011:Normal Distribution; D012031:Refractometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013269:Stochastic Processes