Propagation of partially coherent light through a light pipe

Opt Express. 2013 Jul 15;21(14):17007-19. doi: 10.1364/OE.21.017007.

Abstract

In laser projection applications, laser light modules are often combined with rotating diffusers in order to reduce the appearance of speckle on the projection screen. The rotation of a diffuser in a laser beam generates a beam of partially coherent light. Propagation of this light through the different optical components constituting the laser projector is thus essential when investigating the appearance of speckle. In this paper, a computationally efficient simulation model is presented to propagate partially coherent light through a homogenizing rectangular light pipe. The light pipe alters the coherence properties of the light and different consequences are discussed. The outcomes of the simulation model are experimentally verified using a reversing wavefront Michelson interferometer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Interferometry / instrumentation*
  • Light
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Refractometry / instrumentation*
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance / instrumentation*