Self-splitting properties of a Hermite-Gaussian correlated Schell-model beam

We introduce one kind of partially coherent beam with a nonconventional correlation function named the Hermite-Gaussian correlated Schell-model (HGCSM) beam. It is found that a HGCSM beam exhibits self-splitting properties on propagation in free space, i.e., the initial single beam spot evolves into two or four beam spots in the far field depending on the initial beam orders, which are closely related to the beam width and coherence widths of the HGCSM beam, and a focused HGCSM beam exhibits splitting and combining properties near the focal plane. Furthermore, we report experimental generation of a HGCSM beam and demonstrate splitting and combining properties of a focused HGCSM beam in experiment. The phenomenon of correlation-induced self-splitting will be useful for attacking multiple targets, trapping multiple particles, and guiding atoms.