Optical coherence and electromagnetic surface waves

Abstract

The subject of this review lies at the cross-roads of optical coherence theory and surface wave physics. We first recall how electromagnetic surface waves affect the spectrum, polarization, and spatial correlation properties of thermal near fields. We then discuss the modulation, control, and measurement of spatial coherence of random optical beams by surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). We review the spectral polarization and subwavelength coherence of three-dimensional evanescent fields. Finally, we examine polychromatic, structured SPP fields of tailored electromagnetic coherence.