Modulation of optical spatial coherence by surface plasmon polaritons.

The interference pattern observed in Young's double-slit experiment is intimately related to the statistical correlations of the waves emitted by the slits. As the waves in the slits become more correlated, the visibility of the interference pattern increases. Here, we experimentally modulate the statistical correlations between the optical fields emitted by a pair of slits in a metal film. The interaction between the slits is mediated by surface plasmon polaritons and can be tuned by the slit separation, which allows us to either increase or decrease the spatial coherence of the emerging fields relative to that of the incoming fields.