1A4 - Photocount distributions and field statistics

Abstract

The statistical properties of a radiation field (either Gaussian or laser) have been investigated by photon counting distributions. Two methods (nonlinear and linear) are here introduced and compared from the viewpoint of the accuracy of the measurement and of the associated information capacity. Finally, the method of the "joint photocount distributions" is here introduced as a new tool for the investigation of the time evolution of a random field.