Wigner phase space distribution and coherence tomography

John E. Thomas; Frank Reil; Kim Fook Lee; Adam Wax; Samir Bali

doi:10.1117/12.382047

14 April 2000 Wigner phase space distribution and coherence tomography

John E. Thomas, Frank Reil, Kim Fook Lee, Adam Wax, Samir Bali

Proceedings Volume 3927, Optical Pulse and Beam Propagation II; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.382047
Event: Symposium on High-Power Lasers and Applications, 2000, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

We demonstrate the measurement of path-length-resolved optical phase space distributions as a new framework for exploring the evolution of optical coherence in a turbid medium. This method measures joint transverse position and momentum (i.e., angle) distributions of the optical field, resolved by optical path length in the medium. The measured distributions are related to the Wigner phase space distribution function of the optical field, and can provide complete characteristics of the optical coherence in multiple scattering media. Optical phase space distributions are obtained as contour plots which enable a visual as well as quantitative method of characterizing the spatial coherence properties and wavefront curvature of the input and scattered fields. By using a broad-band source in a heterodyne detection scheme, we observe transmission and backscatter resolved by path length in the random medium, effectively providing timing resolution. New two-window heterodyne detection methods permit independent control of position and momentum resolution with a variance product that surpasses the uncertainty limit associated with Fourier transform pairs. Hence, high position and angular resolution can be simultaneously achieved. These techniques may provide new venues for using optical coherence in medical imaging.

Citation Download Citation

John E. Thomas, Frank Reil, Kim Fook Lee, Adam Wax, and Samir Bali "Wigner phase space distribution and coherence tomography", Proc. SPIE 3927, Optical Pulse and Beam Propagation II, (14 April 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.382047

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available