Laguerre-Gaussian functions and generalized formulation of electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model sources

Fourier transform of the combination of Gaussian function and power functions of even exponents 2n(n = 0,1,2,...) gives rise to a class of physically realizable electromagnetic sources with correlation properties expressible in terms of Laguerre - Gaussian functions. Relatively simple mathematical expressions of the electromagnetic beams produced by the Laguerre - Gaussian Schell-model sources are given for an investigation of the coherence and polarization properties and the higher-order coherence effect of the correlations between intensity fluctuations in the Laguerre - Gaussian Schell-model beams (Laguerre -GSMB) of any order n. Results obtained are compared numerically with the predictions of the classic electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model beam that is the lowest-order Laguerre - GSM beams. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America