title: On two definitions of the three-dimensional degree of polarization in the near field of statistically homogeneous partially coherent sources.
abstract: We investigate the role of the source coherence length in the two alternative definitions, [Phys. Rev. E 66, 016615 (2002)] and [Opt. Commun.248, 333 (2005)], respectively, on the degree of polarization of a three-dimensional near field emitted by a random planar source. It is demonstrated that for the wide variety of statistically homogeneous sources, there are regimes where both definitions are identical. In particular, this occurs for fields from δ-correlated, such as thermal sources. Further, we discuss how the excitation of surface waves influence whether those two definitions coincide.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Auñón
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nieto-Vesperinas