Complex degree of spectral coherence and spectral changes measured by two-beam interference experiments in the space-frequency domain

A variety of the complex degree of spectral coherence mu is provided for investigating the correlation-induced spectral changes resulting from two-beam interference in the space-frequency domain. Primary two-point sources with variant Gaussian-like spectra illuminate the secondary source plane across which spatially, partially coherent wave fields result to produce mu. The variational aspects of mu are controllable by the primary source parameters. The spectral changes are discussed in detail in association with the mu-dependent interference term. The argument of mu plays a particularly important role in asymmetric changes in spectrum. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.