The Influence of Young’s Interference Experiment on the Development of Statistical Optics

Two hundred years ago, in 1807, Thomas Young described a two-pinhole interference experiment which, as is well known, has had a tremendous impact on physics. What is, however, not generally appreciated is that the experiment has also proved of basic importance for the development of statistical optics. In this talk we will trace the impact of the Young interference experiment on two main branches of statistical optics, namely on the theory of coherence and on the theory of polarization of light. We will then briefly outline recent researches which have led to the unification of these two disciplines. Article not available.