abstract
- We present an experimental scheme for the measurement of the cross¿correlation function in optical beams. Our approach involves illuminating a Spatial Light Modulator by an extended thermal source (generation) and a Sagnac¿based wavefront folding interferometer (characterization). We emphasize the use of a common¿path interferometer due to its easy assembly and high stability features, factors that make this apparatus relevant for practical applications. As illustrative examples, we explore Laguerre¿Gauss and Hermite¿Gauss modes, highlighting that in the partially coherent regime, their intensity distributions are blurred while retaining essential information in their cross-correlation function. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.