Generation of Partially Coherent Beams

Partially coherent beams with a prescribed phase, state of polarization, and degree of coherence display many extraordinary propagation properties and are preferred in many applications, such as particle trapping, free-space optical communications, remote sensing, optical imaging, material thermal processing, image transformation, and optical encryption. In this review, we begin with describing conventional Gaussian Schell-model beams and partially coherent beams with prescribed phases, states of polarization, and degrees of coherence. Then we introduce theoretical models for various partially coherent beams and the methods for generating them. Finally, a brief summary is presented.