title: Holographic spatial coherence analysis of a laser.
abstract: We show that the second-order coherent-mode representation of a stationary quasi-monochromatic scalar light beam can be experimentally characterized by dual-mode holographic interference using an arbitrary basis. Analysis of the laser beam emitted from a stable spherical mirror cavity, using a mismatched Hermite-Gaussian basis, recovered the profiles and powers of a set of cavity modes with the expected spot size, including a hybrid of frequency degenerate modes. Observed near- and far-field irradiance transverse profiles and associated M2 parameter measures confirmed the results.
authors.forename: Flávio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belsley