Modelling of partially coherent radiation based on the coherent mode decomposition

Abstract

We present a method for the propagation of partially coherent radiation using coherent mode decomposition and wavefront propagation. The radiation field is decomposed into a sum of independent coherent modes. Each mode is then propagated separately using conventional wavefront propagation techniques. The summation of these modes in the plane of observation gives the coherence properties of the propagated radiation. As an example, we analyze propagation of partially coherent radiation transmitted through a single circular aperture.