Simulating fields of arbitrary spatial and temporal coherence

Optical coherence theory typically deals with the average properties of randomly fluctuating fields. However, in some circumstances the averaging process can mask important physical aspects of the field propagation. We derive a new method of simulating partially coherent fields of nearly arbitrary spatial and temporal coherence. These simulations produce the expected coherence properties when averaged over sufficently long time intervals. Examples of numerous fields are given, and an analytic formula for the intensity fluctuations of the field is given. The method is applied to the propagation of partially coherent fields through random phase screens. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America