Tailorable Spatial-Correlation Landscapes via ChirpedDisorder Phase Modulation at Source
Abstract Spatial correlation is a fundamental attribute of laser emission, yet existing laser platforms generally permit only beam-averaged or spatially uniform control of the coherence-related field correlations. Here, we demonstrate at-source generation of tailorable spatial-correlation landscapes in a degenerate-cavity laser using chirped disorder phase modulation. Rather than tuning the beam globally, our approach enables position-dependent engineering of local field correlation characteristics through controlled intracavity phase disorder. Experimentally, we generate a variety of beams with predesigned inhomogeneous correlation distributions, allowing region-selective modulation across distinct spatial zones within a single laser cavity. These results extend the description of laser field correlations beyond the conventional beam-averaged picture toward a spatially resolved framework. The demonstrated platform provides a versatile route for advanced optical imaging, statistical optics, optical turbulence, and studies of disorder and many-body physics.
Authors
- Shihui Ma
- Gang Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3721-9597)
- Yingxiong Qin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0312-8718)
- Ruikai Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0070-6681)
- Xiao Yu
- Hengyang Li
- Yunru Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4887-0741)
- Xiahui Tang
Institutions
- Tianjin University of Technology (CN)
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology Hospital (CN)
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ACS Photonics
- Published
- 2026-08-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsphotonics.6c00906
- Primary Topic
- Random lasers and scattering media
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00