Abstract

The mutual coherence function of a light wave modulated by a progressive ultrasonic wave having harmonics is formulated on the basis of Raman-Nath’s phase lattice theory. The resultant degree of spatial coherence derived under the assumption that only the fundamental of the ultrasonic wave exists is in good agreement with the results obtained from Young’s interference experiments for rather low ultrasonic pressures. It is evidently shown that the partial coherence condition can be controlled electronically by ultrasonic pressures. Laser speckle reduction is demonstrated as one of its applications.

© 1979 Optical Society of America

Partial coherence of light modulated by progressive periodic ultrasonic waves

Lionel Buthaud
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 3(7) 1065-1072 (1986)

Partially coherent imaging of a periodic amplitude object with ultrasonically coherence-controllable illumination

Yoh Imai and Yoshihiro Ohtsuka
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 71(12) 1427-1433 (1981)

Optical coherence modulation by ultrasonic waves. 1: Dependence of partial coherence on ultrasonic parameters

Yoh Imai and Yoshihiro Ohtsuka
Appl. Opt. 19(4) 542-547 (1980)

Modulation of optical coherence by ultrasonic waves

Yoshihiro Ohtsuka
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 3(8) 1247-1257 (1986)

Diffraction spectrum of light transmitted by a superimposed ultrasonic wave and diffuser

Yoshihiro Ohtsuka and Yoh Imai
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 69(7) 963-968 (1979)