Ghost imaging with twisted Gaussian Schell-model beam

Based on the classical optical coherence theory, ghost imaging with twisted Gaussian Schell-model (GSM) beams is analyzed. It is found that the twist phase of the GSM beam has strong influence on ghost imaging. As the absolute value of the twist factor increases, the ghost image disappears gradually, but its visibility increases. This phenomenon is caused by the fact that the twist phase enhances the transverse spatial coherence of the twisted GSM beam on propagation. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America