Measurement of spatial coherence of light [Invited].

The most frequently used experimental techniques for measuring the spatial coherence properties of classical light fields in the space-frequency and space-time domains are reviewed and compared, with some attention to polarization effects. In addition to Young's classical two-pinhole experiment and several of its variations, we discuss methods that allow the determination of spatial coherence at higher data acquisition rates and also permit the characterization of lower-intensity light fields. These advantages are offered, in particular, by interferometric schemes that employ only beam splitters and reflective elements, and thereby also facilitate spatial coherence measurements of broadband fields.