Coherent and incoherent image transfer
For a linear shift-invariant scalar imaging system, coherent image amplitude is E_image=E_object*h.
Key knowledge
For a linear shift-invariant scalar imaging system, coherent image amplitude is E_image=E_object*h. Under spatially incoherent object illumination, image intensity is I_image=I_object*|h|²; the coherent amplitude transfer function is the Fourier transform of h and the incoherent optical transfer function is the Fourier transform of the intensity point-spread function.
Values and equations
E_image=E_object*h; I_image=I_object*h_I; h_I=|h|²; OTF=ℱ[h_I]
- E_image,E_object
- Field amplitudes with specified image normalization
- I_image,I_object
- Intensity distributions with specified image normalization
- h,h_I
- Amplitude/intensity point-spread kernels, normalized for the spatial convolution
- *,ℱ
- Spatial convolution and consistently normalized Fourier transform
- OTF
- Optical transfer function; normalized to unity at zero frequency when appropriate
Conditions and scope
- Coordinates rescaled for image magnification, appropriate normalized point-spread function and local isoplanatic/shift-invariant domain.
- Partially coherent imaging generally requires mutual-intensity propagation. Aperture limits spatial frequencies; increasing geometric magnification does not create absent image detail.
Sources · 1
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Evidence and review
Optics 2.71: Coherent imaging lecture 16 (2014): Pages 1–3: lens Fourier transform and finite pupil; page 7, equations 15–18: coherent amplitude convolution vs incoherent intensity convolution. Excludes missing conjugation in printed OTF autocorrelation shorthand and k_x y typographical slip.
2026-10-10 · Independent AI editorial review: All 136 unique authored Physics compact statements, all hypotheses and displayed equations/variable/units tables, all 192 Physics-origin semantic links, exact 165 author inspection matrix and mapped retained conceptual claims have been independently read. Three Physics-tagged Measurement realization records are delegated to root Measurement review. Scientific source verification combines exact author section inspection with independent whole compact-content/semantic review and targeted primary rechecks recorded below; it does not claim each full source body was independently reread. Independent AI editorial review is not human specialist certification or experimental replication. Field inventory is approved after independently reviewing the two added source-inspected band-construction methods. Receipt: physics-independent-content-inventory-review.1.
Entry details
Permanent link to this entry ↗- Record identity
- physics-coherent-incoherent-imaging
- Revision
- university-core.1
- Structured reference record
- University core expansion