Spatial coherence properties and directionality of partially coherent cosh-Gaussian beams

Based on the theory of optical coherence, the spatial coherence properties and directionality of partially coherent cosh-Gaussian (ChG) beams are studied. It is shown that unlike Gaussian Schell-model (GSM) beams, in the strict sense there do not exist partially coherent ChG beams which may produce the same far-field radiant intensity distribution as a fully coherent laser beam. However, under certain conditions it is possible to find partially coherent ChG beams with the same far-field radiant intensity distribution as a fully coherent laser beam.