Investigation of the statistical properties of light

The report describes the coherence properties and the statistical properties of light from a classical and quantum mechanical point of view. The theoretical part is used to describe some more specific examples within the field of light scattering such as light scattering from a collection of independent scatters, measurement of wind velocity, and single burst detection in a Laser-Doppler velocitimeter system where the description gives a figure of merit for such a system. An experimental investigation was made of Brillouin scattering in some organic liquids. The experimental equipment is described and the results reported. (Auth.)