English

Gaussian Schell Source as Model for Slit-Collimated Atomic and Molecular Beams

Optics 2008-04-12 v2 Atomic Physics

Abstract

We derive the spatial coherence and intensity profiles of beams emerging from two consecutive collimating apertures, and compare our results with data. We show how to make a Gaussian Schell-model (GSM) beam by assuming Gaussian apertures. Then we compare the intensity profile, the transverse coherence width and the divergence angle of a GSM beam with those same properties of a beam that is collimated with two hard-edged slits. The GSM beam formulae are simpler, and offer an intuitive way to understand how partially coherent beams interact with interferometers.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0804.1162,
  title  = {Gaussian Schell Source as Model for Slit-Collimated Atomic and Molecular Beams},
  author = {Ben McMorran and Alex Cronin},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0804.1162},
  year   = {2008}
}

Comments

5 pages, 5 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-21T10:28:37.299Z