Robust far-field imaging by spatial coherence engineering

The degree of coherence (DOC) function that characterizes the second-order correlations at any two points in a light field is shown to provide new freedom for carrying information. As rule, DOC varies along beam propagation path, preventing from efficient information recovery. In this paper, we report when partially coherent cross phase propagates free space, paraxial optical system or turbulent medium, modulus far-field (focal plane) acquires same value as it has source plane. This unique feature employed novel protocol imaging via DOC, applicable transmission both free-space and turbulence. advantages proposed approach are confidentiality resistance turbulence, well weaker requirement alignment accuracy. We demonstrate feasibility robustness media through experiment numerical simulations. Our findings have potential applications remote sensing natural environments, presence