Propagation characteristics of twisted cosine-Gaussian Schell-model beams

Abstract

Abstract We introduce a new class of twisted sources with twisted cosine-Gaussian Schell-model correlation structure. The spectral intensity and the degree of coherence of the field upon propagation are discussed. Such novel twisted field is characterized by unfamiliar twist pattern and controllable far-zone lattice profile. It exhibits a Gaussian or a lattice-like intensity distribution in the source plane, while always turns into a 2 × 2 lattice profile in the far zone. Notably, the array profile twists around the propagation axis instead of each element rotating about its own lobe center, which is different from most of the twisted array models. Moreover, the splitting tendency in the intensity distribution could be flexibly modulated by the twisted factor, the source coherence and the beam width. The coherence distribution could rotate in the same direction as the intensity with appropriate choice of parameters. Finally, the cross-spectral density’s phase distribution exhibits a spiral windmill structure and coherent singularities could be observed upon propagation.