Characterization of the electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model beam using first-order interference.

We propose a method for the characterization of electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model (EMGSM) beams. This method utilizes the first-order interference consisting of polarization-state projections along with the two-point (generalized) Stokes parameters. The second-order field correlations employed in this method enable us to determine both the magnitude and the argument of the complex degree of electromagnetic coherence. We experimentally demonstrate this method by characterizing an EMGSM beam, which is synthesized using a laser beam passing through a rotating ground glass diffuser. This beam-characterization method is expected to be potentially useful for probing the partially coherent and partially polarized beams, and have tremendous applications in broad areas of optical communication and beam propagation.