Abstract

The spectral distribution and fluctuation of blackbody sources have played a fundamental and historical role in developing quantum mechanics, quantum optics, and the theory of coherence. Since the early photon correlation experiments and the introduction of lasers, photonic fluctuations have stimulated much research in photon statistics. Single-mode stable lasers and blackbodies generate radiation having different photon statistics and provide idealistic coherent and incoherent models for theoretical benchmarks.'~³ There is, however, considerable interest in using lasers complementary to blackbodies for photodetector characterization and simulation⁴-⁵ (see Fig. 1).

© 1994 Optical Society of America