Display of the Complex Degree of Coherence Due to Quasi-monochromatic Spatially Incoherent Sources

A method for displaying the complex degree of coherence (CDC) of a quasi-monochromatic spatially incoherent source is proposed. The phase of the CDC is encoded in a method similar to that used in interferometric imaging with incoherent light. The method is based on Fourier analysis of the speckle pattern that appears when a diffuser is illuminated with the partially coherent field whose CDC is to be displayed. In addition, an intensity pattern that resembles the spatial distribution of the incoherent source can also be obtained.